The Importance of Dark Green Blood Tubes in Phlebotomy

Summary

• Dark green blood tubes contain additives that help preserve blood samples for various laboratory tests.
• The most common additive found in dark green blood tubes in the United States is lithium Heparin.
• Other additives that may be present in dark green blood tubes include gel separators and clot activators.

The Importance of Dark Green Blood Tubes in Phlebotomy

Dark green blood tubes are widely used in phlebotomy to collect blood samples for various laboratory tests. These tubes contain additives that help preserve the blood sample and ensure accurate Test Results. Understanding the additives typically found in dark green blood tubes is essential for healthcare professionals involved in phlebotomy.

Lithium Heparin

The most common additive found in dark green blood tubes used for phlebotomy in the United States is lithium Heparin. Heparin is an Anticoagulant that prevents blood from clotting during the collection process. Lithium Heparin is preferred over sodium Heparin due to its stability and compatibility with a wider range of laboratory tests.

1. Lithium Heparin is particularly useful for chemistry tests that require plasma specimens, such as electrolyte panels and liver function tests.
2. It is important to ensure proper mixing of the blood sample with lithium Heparin in the dark green tube to prevent clotting and ensure accurate Test Results.
3. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the appropriate ratio of lithium Heparin to blood sample volume to avoid sample contamination or interference with Test Results.

Gel Separators

In addition to lithium Heparin, dark green blood tubes may also contain gel separators. These gel barriers help separate the serum or plasma from the red blood cells after centrifugation, allowing for easy extraction of the sample for testing.

1. Gel separators are beneficial for tests that require serum samples, such as glucose tests and cholesterol panels.
2. Healthcare professionals should follow proper centrifugation protocols to ensure accurate separation of serum or plasma from red blood cells using gel separators.
3. It is important to handle dark green blood tubes with gel separators carefully to avoid disrupting the gel barrier and causing contamination of the sample.

Clot Activators

Some dark green blood tubes may also contain clot activators in addition to lithium Heparin. Clot activators promote the rapid clotting of blood samples, making them suitable for tests that require serum samples.

1. Tests that require serum samples and clot activators include coagulation studies, cardiac markers, and hormone tests.
2. Healthcare professionals should be cautious when using dark green blood tubes with clot activators to avoid premature clotting of the sample before testing.
3. Proper handling and mixing of blood samples with clot activators are essential to ensure accurate Test Results.

Conclusion

Dark green blood tubes are essential components of phlebotomy in hospitals, clinical labs, and home healthcare settings in the United States. Understanding the additives typically found in dark green blood tubes, such as lithium Heparin, gel separators, and clot activators, is crucial for healthcare professionals to ensure accurate Test Results and patient care. By following proper collection and handling protocols for dark green blood tubes, Healthcare Providers can optimize the quality of blood samples and enhance the reliability of laboratory tests.

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