For definitive sample requirements please see the investigation section.
Click on the sample for a larger image.
To prevent contamination of the blood samples by the anti –coagulants in the bottles the following order of collection (draw) is advised.
To ensure correct mixing of the samples with the added anticoagulant there is also the advised number of times the tube should be inverted following collection. Tubes should not be shaken following collection.
Order of Collection | Mixing Guidelines (By inversion, not shaking) |
|
1 | Blood Cultures | 8 - 10 times |
2 | Citrate Tubes – Blue top | 3 - 4 times |
3 | Serum Tube – Red top | 5 – 6 times |
4 | Serum Separator Tube – Gold top | 5 – 6 times |
5 | Heparin Tube – Green or Navy blue top | 8 – 10 times |
6 | EDTA Tube – Lavender top | 8 – 10 times |
7 | EDTA Tube – Pink top | 8 – 10 times |
8 | Fluoride Oxalate – Grey Top | 8 – 10 times |
This information is recommended by the tube manufacturers.
The colour and size of paediatric tubes vary significantly from standard adult tubes. It is therefore ESSENTIAL that you check the label on each tube BEFORE performing the blood draw to ensure that the correct additive is used and the tube expiry has not been exceeded.
Autoantibodies, Virology and some Biochemistry tests.
Clotting studies, citrated platelet counts.
Mainly for Biochemistry tests.
Specialised Biochemistry Investigations.
For Gluocse.
Vacuette Tube (not a vacutainer) for Trace Elements. Used by Biochemistry.
Mainly for Haematology tests.
For blood grouping and crossmatching, Kleihauer.