Order of draw, tube additives, patient identification, complications and the safety rules certification boards examine. Aimed at NHA and ASCP candidates who need the details exact rather than approximately right.
1. Blood cultures (yellow SPS)
2. Light blue (sodium citrate)
3. Serum tubes (red/gold, SST)
4. Green (heparin)
5. Lavender (EDTA)
6. Gray (sodium fluoride)
To prevent cross-contamination of additives between tubes, which can alter test results.
Blood culture bottles/tubes (yellow SPS) to maintain sterility.
The light blue sodium citrate tube (coagulation studies).
To minimize contamination by tissue thromboplastin and other additives that could affect clotting results.
After light blue and before tubes containing anticoagulants like heparin, EDTA, and fluoride.
After serum tubes and before lavender (EDTA) and gray (fluoride) tubes.
After green (heparin) and before gray (sodium fluoride).
The gray top tube (sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate).
A discard tube (non-additive or another citrate tube) is drawn first to clear air from the tubing before the light blue tube.
No — the same CLSI order of draw sequence applies when filling tubes from a syringe.
"Stop Light Red Green Yellow Gray" for Sterile (blood culture), Light blue, Red/SST, Green, Yellow/Lavender, Gray.
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