Blood Collection Tube

A blood collection tube, also known as a vacutainer, is a sterile plastic or glass tube used to collect and store blood for laboratory testing. Blood collection tubes are an essential component of the blood collection process and are widely used in medical settings such as hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. Blood collection tubes come in different colors and are used to collect different types of blood samples. Each color corresponds to a specific additive that is used to preserve the blood sample for testing. For example, a red-top tube is used for collecting serum samples, while a lavender-top tube is used for collecting whole blood samples for hematology tests.

When collecting blood, a healthcare provider will insert a needle into a vein in the patients arm and use a syringe or a vacutainer system to draw the blood into the collection tube. The tube is then labeled with the patient's information and sent to the laboratory for testing. Blood collection tubes are designed to preserve the integrity of the blood sample and ensure that it is suitable for laboratory testing. They are also designed to prevent contamination and reduce the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens for healthcare workers and other individuals who handle the blood sample.