How do I know the correct vial for blood draws??

Specialties Infusion

Published

Hello! I jus started a new job as an at home infusion nurse. They have asked me to draw some labs while I am there. My question is: how do I know which vials to use and how many I need? I have drawn blood before but lab always gave me the vials at my other job. The labs being drawn are a CBC, CMP, ALT/AST

Any insight would be appreciated :)

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Specializes in Primary Care, OR.

One lavender top 4.5 mL, one speckle or gold top 8.0mL depending on what your facility carries.

http://www.healthlabtesting.com/~/media/Health%20Lab/PDFs/TestTubeIndex67.ashx

I've also used the lab for reference many times. They usually send a catalog of tests that tell you how many mLs you need and what tube and any testing considerations( frozen etc). If you have any doubts or no catalog available you can call the service center, I've found they are always willing to help ;)

And don't forget your order of draw.

http://www.bd.com/vacutainer/pdfs/plus_plastic_tubes_wallchart_orderofdraw_VS5729.pdf

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

CBC is always a lavender /EDTA tube and should be filled. Chemistry are usually serum separator tubes the color depends on the lab. Sometimes red/gray sometimes gold top. I think there are a few others.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.
CBC is always a lavender /EDTA tube and should be filled. Chemistry are usually serum separator tubes the color depends on the lab. Sometimes red/gray sometimes gold top. I think there are a few others.

Chemistry is a green top tube at my hospital. Didn't realize there were so many differences!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Green tubes have heparin and generate a plasma sample. More often serum chemistry is needed and thus a red, gold or red/gray speckle SST (serum separator tube).

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

The order of draw is also important, as mentioned above. Red and Blue Gets Purple. (red, blue, green, purple). Otherwise you run the risk of additives interfering with the sample

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Thanks for the advice everyone! Sounds like I need to do some homework before I go haha. Thanks for posting the links they were very helpful :)

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Specializes in Primary Care, OR.

Your welcome! It becomes embedded in memory whether we like it or not :up:

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You need to verify with the lab who will be running the samples... it is their call.

In both of my facilities, CMPs are in green.

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I agree with the above, if in doubt, check with the lab who will be running the test.

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I learned an easy way to remember draw order. Red first, then go by Alphabet A-Z.

I only know the most common colors. Blue-Coags, Lavender-CBC, Green- CMP/BMP/Mag/lytes, Gray-Lactic Acid(must be sent on ice)

Red-Iron,Ferritin

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I am a home infusion nurse also - and every lab kit I have dealt with tells you which tube to use for each test. It's printed on the requisition form ! :) Check your agency's policy though....we draw the rainbow in case the doctor wants to run another test that isn't originally ordered (saves us a 2nd trip to the patient). Good Luck!

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