Glass tubes containing swabs. Used in the collection of anaerobic specimens.
Used for MRSA PCR.
Used to preserve tissue.
Used for urethral, nasal passages and eyes.
21 gauge - Used primarily for large antecubital veins.
22 gauge - Used primarily for medium antecubital, forearm, hand and foot veins.
23 gauge - Used for smaller antecubitals, medium size forearm, hand and foot veins.
25 gauge - Used only for the smallest veins, usually in the forearm, hand and foot.
2 plastic vials containing PVA and formalin preservatives. Used for Ova and Parasite.
Used only for the SurePath Pap Test.
Sterile swab in transport media. Used for routine aerobic cultures of all sites.
Provides a safe transport for glass slides.
Used as a fixative for cytology smears.
Plastic wide mouthed sterile containers. Used for cultures.
Transport vial. Used for stool cultures.
Used to hold needle and vacuum tube while collecting specimens.
Stopper color: Blue
Volumes: 1.8mL, 2.7mL, and 4.5mL
Additives/Anticoagulant: Buffered sodium citrate
Anticoagulant method of action: A chelating agent that binds calcium, forming insoluble calcium salts.
Tube purposes:
Used for all coagulation determinations and factor assays.
Used for platelet counts when EDTA platelet results display clumping.
Pseudonyms: Blue top, citrate tube, coag tubeNOTE: MUST be at least 90% full. Under filled specimens will result in specimen rejection.
Stopper color: Red/Gray speckled
Volumes: 8.5mL
Additives/Anticoagulant:
Polymer Gel: Upon centrifugation, this gelatin forms a barrier between the cell and serum layers, thus making it easier pour off and reducing reactivity between cell and serum components.
Spray dried silica activator: Increases the speed of clot formation.
Anticoagulant method of action: Does not contain an anticoagulant.
Tube purposes:
With only a few exceptions, can be used whenever serum is required for testing.
Therapeutic drug levels CANNOT be collected in this tube, the gel will absorb the therapeutic drug being tested resulting in erroneous values.
Pseudonyms: Tiger top, SST, gel barrier tube, speckled top, and camouflaged tube
Stopper color: Red
Volumes: 4mL, 5mL, 10mL
Additives/Anticoagulant: Glass - Silicone-coated, Plastic - Spray dried silica activator: Increases the speed of clot formation.
Anticoagulant method of action: Does not contain an anticoagulant.
Tube purposes:
General serum studies.
Must be used for therapeutic drug levels.
Pseudonyms: Plain red top, serum tube
Stopper color: Dark green, mint green
Volumes: 3mL, 4.5mL,10mL
Additives/Anticoagulant: Lithium heparin, sodium heparin
Anticoagulant method of action: Inactivates thrombin and thromboplastin.
Tube purposes:
Lithium: STAT chemistry determinations where normal routine serum would be used. Plasma speeds up TAT for STAT tests.
Sodium: Chromosome analysis, flow cytometry and tissue typing.
Pseudonyms: PST, heparin tube, send out green
Stopper color: lavender, purple
Volumes: 3mL, 4mL
Additives/Anticoagulant: K2EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetate)
Anticoagulant method of action: A chelating agent that binds calcium, forming insoluble calcium salts.
Tube purposes:
Platelet counts and platelet function studies due to EDTA's ability to inhibit platelet aggregation.
Complete Blood Counts (CBC) and preparation of blood films for cell differentiation.
Miscellaneous testing:
Cyclosporine levels (FK506)
Hemoglobin A1C (glycol hemoglobin)
Viral load studies
Sickle cell testing
Sedimentation rates (WSR,ESR)
Ammonia levels
Pseudonyms: Lavender top, purple top, EDTA tube
Stopper color: Pink
Volumes: 6mL
Additives/Anticoagulant: K2 EDTA
Anticoagulant method of action: N/A
Tube purposes:
All blood bank specimens
Type & Crossmatch
ABO group and type
Kleinhauer testing
Pseudonyms: Pink top, blood bank tube
Stopper color: Pearl
Volumes: 5mL
Additives/Anticoagulant: K2 EDTA
Anticoagulant method of action: A chelating agent that binds calcium, forming insoluble calcium salts.
Tube purposes:
Molecular diagnostic testing
HIV B DNA
Pseudonyms: PPT - plasma preparation tube, pearl EDTA
Stopper color: Grey
Volumes: 5mL
Additives/Anticoagulant: Sodium Fluoride/Potassium Oxylate
Anticoagulant method of action: Prevents cells from metabolizing sugars (glucose and insulin�s)
Tube purposes:
Glucose determinations
Lactic acid determinations
Blood alcohol levels
Pseudonyms: Grey top, fluoride tube
Stopper color: Yellow
Volumes: 6mL
Additives/Anticoagulant: ACD Solution B - Acid Citrate Dextrose
Anticoagulant method of action: N/A
Tube purposes:
HLA phenotyping, DNA and Paternity testing
Pseudonyms: ACD tube
Stopper color: Royal/Dark blue
Volumes: 6mL, 7mL
Additives/Anticoagulant: EDTA (Na2), Trace element (no additive)
Anticoagulant method of action: N/A
Plastic centrifuge tube with media. Used for the transport of tissues, aspirates for viral cultures.