After blood cultures, coagulation tubes, serum tubes, heparin tubes, and EDTA tubes, we arrive at the final tube in standard order of draw, the gray top.
Is sodium fluoride also the preferred tube for blood alcohol draws? Also it would be grand if the grey topped urine micro tube got a different color top as when teaching, new students are confused, my experience.
Sodium fluoride is the preferred tube for alcohol draws that will have delayed testing. If it's a stat test, like for an ETOH patient in an ER, then a lithium heparin tube or SST are also acceptable depending on the facilities preference. Heparin tube is usually best source we don't have to wait for clotting.
And I agree! I've caught new student's trying to collect a urine tube during a blood draw instead of the correct gray tube more than once lol. Thanks for reading!
I am teaching Phlebotomy now and I LOVE all of these so much. Thank you for doing this!
Thoroughly informative and interesting series. It should be part of the curriculum of every phlebotomy and tech training program.
Is sodium fluoride also the preferred tube for blood alcohol draws? Also it would be grand if the grey topped urine micro tube got a different color top as when teaching, new students are confused, my experience.
Great write as always.
Sodium fluoride is the preferred tube for alcohol draws that will have delayed testing. If it's a stat test, like for an ETOH patient in an ER, then a lithium heparin tube or SST are also acceptable depending on the facilities preference. Heparin tube is usually best source we don't have to wait for clotting.
And I agree! I've caught new student's trying to collect a urine tube during a blood draw instead of the correct gray tube more than once lol. Thanks for reading!