Types of Blood Collection Tubes for Serum Testing in the United States
Summary
- Serum testing is an essential part of medical laboratory work in the United States
- There are several types of blood collection tubes used for serum testing
- Proper handling and labeling of blood collection tubes is crucial for accurate Test Results
Introduction
Medical laboratories in the United States play a critical role in healthcare by providing diagnostic information to Healthcare Providers. One common type of specimen collected for testing in a medical lab is serum. Serum is the liquid component of blood that is collected after the blood has clotted and the clot has been removed. In order to collect serum for testing, specific blood collection tubes are used. In this article, we will explore the different types of blood collection tubes used for testing serum in a medical laboratory in the United States.
SST Tube (Serum Separator Tube)
The most common type of blood collection tube used for testing serum in a medical laboratory in the United States is the SST Tube, also known as a serum separator tube. SST tubes contain a gel at the bottom that separates the serum from the clot when the tube is centrifuged. This allows for easy extraction of the serum for testing without the need to manually pipette it out. SST tubes typically have a gold or red stopper.
Red-Top Tube
Another type of blood collection tube that is commonly used for serum testing in the United States is the red-top tube. These tubes do not contain a gel separator like SST tubes, so the serum must be manually pipetted out after centrifugation. Red-top tubes are often used for general chemistry tests that do not require the serum to be separated from the clot.
Plasma Separator Tube (PST)
While serum is the liquid component of blood that is collected after clotting, plasma is the liquid component of blood that is collected before clotting. Plasma separator tubes, or PST tubes, are used to collect plasma for testing in the medical laboratory. These tubes contain an Anticoagulant that prevents the blood from clotting, allowing for the collection of plasma. PST tubes typically have a green stopper.
Lavender-Top Tube
Although lavender-top tubes are primarily used for collecting whole blood specimens for hematology tests, they can also be used for collecting plasma samples for certain tests. The lavender stopper indicates that the tube contains EDTA, an Anticoagulant that preserves the integrity of the blood sample for testing.
Handling and Labeling of Blood Collection Tubes
Proper handling and labeling of blood collection tubes is crucial for accurate Test Results in the medical laboratory. Healthcare Providers must ensure that the tubes are filled to the appropriate level, properly mixed, and promptly sent to the laboratory for processing. Additionally, each tube must be accurately labeled with the patient's name, date of birth, and other identifying information to prevent errors in specimen collection and processing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several types of blood collection tubes used for testing serum in a medical laboratory in the United States. SST tubes, red-top tubes, PST tubes, and lavender-top tubes are just a few examples of the tubes commonly used for collecting serum and plasma specimens. Proper handling and labeling of these tubes is essential for accurate Test Results and the delivery of quality healthcare to patients.
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