Blood Collection Test Tube Color Codes

Yellow: For blood cultures and sterile specimens; contains sodium polyanetholesulfonate as an additive.
Blue: Used for coagulation tests including PT (Prothrombin Time), PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time), and fibrinogen testing.
Red: No additive required; suitable for chemistry testing and blood bank testing; can include thixotropic gel for separation.
Green: Contains sodium heparin or lithium heparin, acting as a natural anticoagulant for routine chemistry testing.
Lavender: Contains EDTA, which binds calcium to prevent clot formation; primarily used for hematology tests like CBC (Complete Blood Count).
Gray: Contains sodium fluoride (prevents glycolysis) and potassium oxalate (anticoagulant) for glucose tolerance and lactic acid testing.
Royal Blue or Tan: Used for nutritional studies, drug monitoring, and toxicology; tan tops contain EDTA for lead testing.

Anticoagulants: Substances that prevent blood from clotting during testing.
Clot Activator: Promotes coagulation and is used for serum chemistries, especially for patients on anticoagulants.
Polymer Gel: Separates plasma and serum during centrifugation.

Type of Antiseptic: Determined by tests ordered; critical to prevent contamination.
Isopropyl Alcohol: The most commonly used antiseptic for cleaning puncture sites.
Iodine: Preferred for blood cultures to avoid contamination from skin flora.

Site Selection: Collection site can interfere with test results; care must be taken in selecting appropriate sites.
Hematomas: Blood drawn from hematomas may yield altered test results due to less fresh blood.
IV Sites: Avoid drawing blood from arms with IVs when possible; if unavoidable, collect from distal to the IV site.
Capillary Puncture: Typically performed on the middle or ring finger; index or thumb can also be used, avoiding the pinky.

Proper ordering and usage of collection tubes minimize contamination and ensure accurate results.
Tourniquet Application: Tying too tightly can lead to hemoconcentration, affecting test outcomes.

Multi-Sample Needle Parts: Consists of bevel, shaft, threaded hub, and rubber sleeve.
Syringe System Parts: Includes bevel, shaft, hub, graduated barrel, and plunger.

Tools for Capillary Collection: Items such as gauze, bandages, lancets, and micro collection containers are essential.
Use of Alcohol: Recommended for disinfecting skin prior to capillary puncture instead of iodine due to potential residue.

Midstream Clean-Catch: Requires sterile containers, antiseptic towelettes, and written guidelines for cleansing.
24-Hour Urine Sample: Requires appropriate containers, preservatives, ice if needed, and proper labeling.
Urine Drug Sample Collection: Involves requisition forms, gloves, and temperature strips to ensure sample integrity.

Throat Culture: Collection involves a requisition form, tongue depressor, and sterile swabs.
Nasopharyngeal Swab: Requires a sterile mini-tip swab and saline transport medium for specimen stability.

Regular checks for expiration dates on tubes and needles; maintenance of equipment used in point-of-care testing (POCT).
Routine cleaning of surfaces and implementation of preventive maintenance on centrifuges to ensure accuracy in testing.