Before the invention of the modern blood collection vacuum tubes known today, blood collecting systems and devices were difficult to use and typically imprecise. These tubes merely reflected the amount of blood that was necessary for collection by a phlebotomist.
The collection process required phlebotomists to use a needle to puncture the vein, then maneuver the blood into the glass tube. After the blood collection, technicians dispensed various chemical additives such as EDTA and citrate into the test tube to prevent coagulation. These practices worked, but this blood collection technique had many shortcomings in desperate need of improvement. The possibilities of collection error, alongside the ongoing safety risks for patients and phlebotomists, were visibly apparent.
All this changed when Joseph Kleiner invented the evacuated specimen collection tube in 1947. He gave it over to a manufacturer who would produce the collection device for the market. Given the name “vacutainer,” these blood collection tubes offer a plethora of benefits.
Since that initial production, vacutainers have only been further enhanced. Initially, the manufacturer Beckton Dickinson only produced one singular type of vacutainer. Now, hundreds of styles and sizes exist for clinical use. Let’s closely examine the varieties available on the modern market. Here's further information to uncover which vacutainer tubes to use for what tests.
Types of Specimen Collection Tubes
Today’s glass and plastic vacutainer tubes are ideal for safety, ease-of-use, speed, and accuracy in the blood-to-additives ratio. Regulatory agencies enforce strict guidelines to assure clinicians that these blood collection systems are strongly consistent in their design and manufacturing.
The current blood collection system is identifiable by the implantation of color-coding. Each clinical vacuum tube uses a color-coded top for distinction and a holder which supports the double-ended needle. Many tubes also include an added chemical substance to stabilize the specimen before analytical testing. This inclusion of additives immensely enhances the overall consistency and accuracy of the selective test results.
The majority of these collection tubes that contain an additive will either purposefully prevent blood clotting—aka an anticoagulant—or accelerate the clotting of the blood. An assortment of analytical tests requires the use of serum, while others require the use of plasma. Tubes with clot activators produce blood serum samples, while anticoagulant tubes will produce a plasma sample. Whole blood samples are also an option.
To reiterate, the color of the tube cap indicates the type of additive that the tube contains for a common laboratory test. For a clearer explanation about these clinical test tubes, here’s a general overview of which vacutainer tubes to use for what tests based on the cap’s hue.
Red
If this vacutainer is a serum separator tube, it contains a clot activator additive to promote blood clotting. This collection tube is generally utilized for immunology, chemistry, and serology testing. If the red-capped tube does not contain a serum separator, the tube has no anticoagulant additives. This vacutainer is utilized for chemistry testing, drug level tests, and blood bank procedures.
Light Blue or Blue
This vacutainer contains sodium citrate as an additive to create sodium nitrate plasma. This collection tube is generally utilized for coagulation studies and must be filled all the way for accurate results.
Pale Green or Green
This vacutainer contains sodium or lithium heparin as an anticoagulant to prevent clotting. This collection tube prepares heparinized plasma, whole blood, and bone marrow specimens and is generally utilized for stat and routine chemistry testing.
Pale Lilac or Lavender
This vacutainer contains potassium EDTA as an additive to prevent clotting by binding calcium. Depending on collection size, this tube is generally utilized for whole-blood or plasma collection for hematology and blood bank procedures.
Gray
This vacutainer contains sodium fluoride and potassium as additives to prevent clotting. This collection tube is generally used for glucose tolerance testing, as well as blood alcohol and lactic acid testing.
Yellow
This vacutainer contains acid citrate dextrose (ACD) as an anticoagulant. This collection tube is generally used to prepare whole blood for special studies.
Proper Approaches To Blood Collection Tests
Following the correct collection, preparation, and transportation instructions support the best possible test results. Proper positioning is critical for a successful venipuncture. When drawing blood, act closely in accordance with all venipuncture procedures that recognized organizations recommend for use, alongside standard regulations that involve phlebotomy practice. When more than one blood specimen is required for testing, utilize numerous needles and vacuum tubes to ensure the blood collection procedure is more efficient.
Keep in mind that because vacutainer tubes contain the pre-measured vacuum and pre-measured additives, each tube must be full completely to the “stated fill” volume. To ensure the most accurate test results, you must double-check the collected specimen entirely fills a tube that contains an additive. Due to the high-sensitivity nature of blood tests, the possibility for incorrect analytical results is high when underfilling or overfilling the collection tube occurs.
Possible Errors From Improper Blood Collection
Besides being careful to not overfill or underfill tubes, always examine specimen collection or transportation supplies to ensure that there are no expired containers. The expiration dates limit the use of evacuated vacuum tubes because of several factors, including a measurable loss of vacuum over time and the limited shelf-time of included additives. The majority of shelf-life on the market is around 12 months.
Recent Trends and Recommendations
The most recent trends in the evolution of vacutainers involve stronger tube material made out of a formulation of plastic and polyethylene. This combination creates a stronger, more stable tube that is more resistant to breakage and chemical damage. Additionally, recent vacuum tubes contain coats of silicon and silica particles to accelerate the clotting process. Another trend is a vacationer that utilizes gel to form a physical barrier between plasma or serum, and blood cells to maintain a sample's quality as it makes its way to lab analysis.
Where To Purchase Quality Vacutainers
For all your wholesale medical supplies needs, turn to American Screening Corp. We aim to ensure that your practice stays amply supplied with high-quality products for your day-to-day operations. Whether you need hospital, sanitation, therapy, patient, or specimen collection supplies, we’ve got you covered.
From personal protective equipment to hand sanitizer, or an assortment of vacationer tubes, we’re your number one supplier. If you have any questions about our medical care products or how to use them, contact us today. We’re here to help our customers find the right solution for their needs.
