1. Blood tubes

2. Using the appropriate phlebotomy supplies is imperative for accurate test results. Each vacutainer tube is color-coded to facilitate proper specimen collection. Please be sure to use the proper tube for the desired test.

3. Anticoagulants Hematology testing primarily uses whole blood samples (Blood colection1%BW) Hematology testing primarily uses whole blood samples (Blood colection1%BW) Hemostatic testing uses both whole blood and blood plasma Hemostatic testing uses both whole blood and blood plasma An anticoagulant is a chemical that, when added to the whole blood sample, prevents or delays clotting (coagulation) of the sample An anticoagulant is a chemical that, when added to the whole blood sample, prevents or delays clotting (coagulation) of the sample Regardless of the anticoagulant chosen, the sample and anticoagulant must be well mixed (by gentle inversion0 before use Regardless of the anticoagulant chosen, the sample and anticoagulant must be well mixed (by gentle inversion0 before use Samples that are not tested within 1 hour of collection should be refrigerated. Samples that are not tested within 1 hour of collection should be refrigerated.

5. Lavender top Potassium EDTA (K2 or K3 EDTA): For tests requiring EDTA plasma, separate plasma appropriately. Use for CBC and blood cultures Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)

6. Green tops Green tops The interior of the tube wall is coated with sodium heparin, lithium heparin, or ammonium heparin The interior of the tube wall is coated with sodium heparin, lithium heparin, or ammonium heparin The anticoagulant heparin activates antithrombins, thus blocking the coagulation cascade and producing a whole blood / plasma sample instead of clotted blood plus serum The anticoagulant heparin activates antithrombins, thus blocking the coagulation cascade and producing a whole blood / plasma sample instead of clotted blood plus serum

7. Green top Sodium Heparin: Preferred heparin tube for send out testing. Sodium Heparin: Preferred heparin tube for send out testing. It is glass and Does Not contain inert gel It is glass and Does Not contain inert gel For plasma determinations in avian and reptiles For plasma determinations in avian and reptiles

8. Lt. Green top Lithium Heparin: Contains an inert gel for separating plasma, which acts as a barrier between cells and plasma after centrifugation. Lithium Heparin: Contains an inert gel for separating plasma, which acts as a barrier between cells and plasma after centrifugation.

9. Red top Contains no anticoagulant. Used in Blood Drug Screens and other testing where the gel additive could interfere with testing. Contains no anticoagulant. Used in Blood Drug Screens and other testing where the gel additive could interfere with testing. Red No Gel tubes are available in "No Additive" clot tubes as well as "Clot Activator" tubes for serum collection. Red No Gel tubes are available in "No Additive" clot tubes as well as "Clot Activator" tubes for serum collection. Please take care to inspect the tube label to identify the additive type. Please take care to inspect the tube label to identify the additive type. Use for serum determinations in chemistry, serology and Immunohematology (blood banking). Use for serum determinations in chemistry, serology and Immunohematology (blood banking). TESTS -SEROLOGY TESTS -SEROLOGY

10. Red-Gray (tiger) Contains clot activator and inert gel for separating serum, which acts as a barrier between cells and serum after centrifugation. Contains clot activator and inert gel for separating serum, which acts as a barrier between cells and serum after centrifugation. During centrifugation the barrier gel moves upward to the serum - clot interface, where it forms a stable barrier separating the serum from fibrin and cells. During centrifugation the barrier gel moves upward to the serum - clot interface, where it forms a stable barrier separating the serum from fibrin and cells.

11. Important For tests requiring serum, a blood sample is drawn into a tube containing no anticoagulant. The blood must be allowed to clot for approximately 30 minutes before centrifugation. For tests requiring serum, a blood sample is drawn into a tube containing no anticoagulant. The blood must be allowed to clot for approximately 30 minutes before centrifugation. Clotted blood should then be centrifuged for 10- 15 minutes. Clotted blood should then be centrifuged for 10- 15 minutes. The serum can then be separated from the cells and transported in an aliquot tube, if necessary. The serum can then be separated from the cells and transported in an aliquot tube, if necessary. The use of a transfer pipette is the required method, please DO NOT tilt the original tube when separating the serum into an aliquot tube. The use of a transfer pipette is the required method, please DO NOT tilt the original tube when separating the serum into an aliquot tube. The presence of red blood cells may give erroneous results The presence of red blood cells may give erroneous results

12. It is the responsibility of all personnel who collect laboratory specimens to properly label the specimens to assure accurate patient/sample identification.