New Plastic Vacutainer Tubes

Important Notes:

• " No additive tubes now have a clot activator to speed the clotting process and therefore tubes should be inverted 4-6 times when drawn.


• " PINK top tubes are the only plastic tubes approved by the FDA for blood bank testing, please do not submit plastic red tops for blood banking tests such as Blood types, Prenatal antibody screens or cross matches.


• "Light blue (Sodium citrate) tubes are no longer available in 4.5mL size, if multiple clotting tests are ordered be sure to draw sufficient tubes to provide volumes needed for each order. As always these tubes must be filled completely to ensure accurate results.


• " Lavender tubes - small dimension pediatric tubes are not available but the volume of blood and amount of vacuum are adjusted in the 2mL and 3mL tubes and should be used for smaller volume draws.


• " There has been no change in Royal blue tubes; they will continue to be glass as plastic is not acceptable for trace element testing.


• " Centrifuge Warning - mixing plastic tubes and glass tubes in the centrifuge may result in tube breakage - be sure that tubes are balanced properly and matched by type - glass or plastic.