Collection Tubes for Blood Specimens
| Gold/Red-Gray Marble | Mint Green | Green | Lavender | Light Blue |
| Gray | Red | Royal Blue | Yellow |
The following tables should be helpful in understanding which kind of vacuum (VACUTAINER®) type tube to use in the collection of specimens. For manufacturers guidelines see BD Vacutainer Order of Draw for Multiple Tube Collections. Refer to the Test Table for specific instructions and sample requirements.
| Gold or Red-Gray Marble Stopper (two-types) - SST, Serum Separator Tube |
| Additive: |
Polymer gel and powdered glass clot activator |
| Stopper Type: |
HemogardTM Gold top/Conventional Red-Gray Marble |
| Tube Type/Size: |
Plastic Tube 13 x 100/16 x 100 |
| Specimen Type: |
Serum |
| Draw Amount: |
5.0 mL/8.5 mL |
| Inversions: |
5 |
| Laboratory Use: |
Sterile SST® brand tube with inert clot activator determinations that require serum in chemistry or infectious disease testing. Gel separates serum from cells. Tube inversion ensures mixing of clot activator with blood and clotting within 30 minutes.
|
| Mint Green Stopper - PST, Plasma Separator Tube: HOSPITAL PATIENTS ONLY |
| Additive: |
Lithium Heparin, Polymer gel plasma separator |
| Stopper Type: |
HemogardTM |
| Tube Type/Size: |
Plastic tube 13 x 75 |
| Specimen Type: |
Whole Blood, Plasma |
| Draw Amount: |
3.0 mL |
| Inversions: |
8 |
| Laboratory Use: |
General chemistries and some therapeutic dogs. DO NOT USE FOR LITHIUM TESTING. |
| Green Stopper Tube (two types): Dark Green or Clear Green |
| Additive: |
Sodium Heparin |
| Stopper Type: |
HemogardTM |
| Tube Type/Size: |
Plastic tube 13 x 75 |
| Specimen Type: |
Whole Blood, Plasma |
| Draw Amount: |
4.0 mL/2.0 mL (pediatric tube) |
| Inversions: |
8 |
| Laboratory Use: |
For plasma determinations in chemistry. Tube inversion prevents clotting. Dark green 4.0 mL Sodium Herparin used for chromosome studies. |
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| Lavender Stopper Tube (two types): Dark Lavender or Clear Lavender |
| Additive: |
EDTA-K2 |
| Stopper Type: |
HemogardTM |
| Tube Type/Size: |
Plastic Tube 13 x 75 |
| Specimen Type: |
Whole Blood, Plasma |
| Draw Amount: |
4.0mL/2.0mL (pediatric tube) |
| Inversions: |
8 |
| Laboratory Use: |
Dark Lavender 4.0 mL for whole hematology, ammonia, lead, HIV RNA, HbA1C quantitation determinations and for blood bank testing. Tube inversion prevents clotting. |
| Light Blue Stopper Tube (two types): Solid Light Blue or Clear Light Blue |
| Additive: |
Sodium Citrate (3.2%, 0.109M) |
| Stopper Type: |
HemogardTM |
| Tube Type/Size: |
Plastic tube 13 x 75 |
| Specimen Type: |
Whole Blood, Plasma |
| Draw Amount: |
2.7 mL/1.8 mL (pediatric tube only) |
| Inversions: |
4 (gently) |
| Laboratory Use: |
For coagulation determinations of plasma specimens. Tube inversion prevents clotting. |
| Note: |
Certain tests require chilled specimens. Follow recommended procedures for collection, temperature and transporting of coagulation specimens. |
| Gray Stopper Tube: |
| Additive: |
Sodium fluoride/Potassium oxalate |
| Stopper Type: |
HemogardTM |
| Tube Type/Size: |
Plastic 13 x 75 |
| Specimen Type: |
Whole Blood, Plasma |
| Draw Amount: |
4.0 mL |
| Inversions: |
8 |
| Laboratory Use: |
For glucose, toxicology determinations. Antiglycolytic additives stabilize glucose values for up to 24 hours at room temperature. Tubes should be filled to 4.0 mL. Tube inversion ensures proper mixing of additive and blood. |
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| Red Stopper Tube: |
Additive:
|
Inert Clot Activator (powdered gas) |
| Stopper Type: |
HemogardTM |
| Tube Type/Size: |
Plastic 13 x 75 |
| Specimen Type: |
Serum |
| Draw Amount: |
6.0 mL |
| Inversions: |
8 |
| Laboratory Use: |
For serum determinations in chemistry, serology and blood bank testing. Can be used as sterile transport tube. |
| Royal Blue Stopper Tube: (two types) No additive or EDTA |
| Additive: |
None/EDTA |
| Stopper Type: |
HemogardTM |
| Tube Type/Size: |
Plastic 13 x 100 |
| Specimen Type: |
Whole Blood, Plasma |
| Draw Amount: |
6.0 mL |
| Inversions: |
8 |
| Laboratory Use: |
For trace element, toxicology and nutrition determinations. Special stopper formulation offers the lowest verified levels of trace elements available. Refer to specific test for proper tube. |
| Yellow Stopper Tube: (two types) Solution A or Solution B |
| Additive: |
ACD, Solution A |
| Stopper Type: |
Conventional |
| Tube Type/Size: |
Glass 16 x 100 |
| Specimen Type: |
Whole blood |
| Draw Amount: |
8.5 mL |
| Inversions: |
8 |
| Laboratory Use: |
Tissue typing and some Red Cross testing. Refer to specific test for proper tube. |
| |
|
| Additive: |
ACD, Solution B |
| Stopper Type: |
Conventional |
| Tube Type/Size: |
Glass 16 x 100 |
| Specimen Type: |
Whole blood |
| Draw Amount: |
6.0 mL |
| Inversions: |
8 |
| Laboratory Use: |
Tissue typing. Refer to specific test for proper tube. |
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