Order of Draw for Evacuated Tube and Syringe Blood Collection

 Verify that you are using a tube with the correct additive. Tube top colors may vary between manufacturer s.
 Do not use expired tubes or tubes that have dropped on the floor.
 GENTLY invert all tubes immediately after collection. DO NOT shake tubes.

CONTAINER ADDITIVE COMMONLY IMPORTANT INFORMATION

ORDERED TESTS
Culture Medium Blood Cultures  Collect specimen in both vials (aerobic
(bacterial and/or fungal) and anaerobic).
Blood
Culture  Must be drawn with winged collection
(If AFB specified, call Lab
Vials device (using a discard tube) or a syringe
for instructions)
(using a syringe transfer device).

Sodium Citrate Protime  Draw 1-2 mL of blood in a light-blue-

Light Blue 3.2% PTT top discard tube before filling sample tube.
(Plasma)  Sample tube MUST be filled to indicator
Fibrinogen
line for valid test results.
Partial Coagulation Studies
Draw  Do NOT remove clots or send clotted
Top specimens.
 Do NOT add two partially filled tubes
together.

Clot Activator  Use for serum collections when Gel

Red (serum)
(no gel) Barrier tubes should NOT be used

Gold with Clot Activator CMP, Lipid Profile  SST for serum determinations in
Gel Hepatitis Profiles Chemistry
Gel Serum
Barrier  Invert tubes to ensure proper mixing of
(serum) Separator HIV
clot activator. Clotting time 30 min.
Thyroid Profiles
Therapeutic drugs

Lithium Heparin  These tubes are NOT interchangeable.

See Directory of Services or call Client
Lithium Heparin Services, 505-938-8922 or 800-245-
Sep (Gel)
3296.
Green Green w/Gel Sodium Heparin
(Plasma) (Plasma)

EDTA K2 CBC  Do NOT remove clots or send clotted

Lavender specimens.
(plasma/ ESR (SED Rate)
whole blood) Hemoglobin A1C

EDTA K2 ABO/Rh  Do NOT draw for CBC

Pink (plasma/  Do NOT remove clots or send clotted
whole blood) specimens

Gray Sodium Fluoride/ Glucose Testing  Routinely used for glucose testing
(plasma) Potassium Oxalate  Do NOT remove clots or send clotted
specimens
ACD Solution Special Testing  Solution A and Solution B tubes are
Yellow interchangeable
(whole blood)
 Do NOT remove clots or send clotted
specimens
Draw Royal Blue top tubes in the order indicated by the additive. Additives indicated by color strip on label:
RED strip: No additives GREEN strip: Na Heparin LAVENDER strip: EDTA

TriCore Reference Laboratories OSC-005-JA06 Rev. 01

July 2011