System components: PET evacuated tubes + butyl stoppers + PE caps; safety holders; straight needles (18–23G) and butterfly safety sets (21–25G) with optional pre-attached holders; tourniquets; sharps containers.
Labeling & ID: Paper, transparent, or pre-barcoded tubes; follow IFU symbols (IVD, EO/irradiation sterilized, latex-free, etc.).
General steps (venipuncture):
Prepare patient & select site → apply tourniquet.
Disinfect, perform venipuncture with holder + needle/set.
Order of draw (see below) to avoid additive carryover.
Fill each tube to mark (vacuum defines volume), immediately invert per tube requirement.
Release tourniquet, withdraw needle, activate safety, dispose in sharps.
Label tubes (if not pre-barcoded), transport upright.
Order of draw (VACUSERA, venous):
Sodium citrate (coagulation/ESR) – 3.2% or 3.8% (incl. CTAD)
Serum – clot activator (CAT) ± gel; thrombin + gel (rapid serum)
Heparin – lithium or sodium ± gel (plasma)
EDTA – K2EDTA/K3EDTA ± gel (hematology / molecular)
Glucose – NaF/EDTA or NaF/oxalate
Trace element tubes (CAT / K2EDTA / sodium heparin)
ACD (blood grouping/crossmatch as specified)
Mixing (gentle inversions right after draw):
Serum (CAT ± gel / thrombin+gel): 5–6 inversions
Citrate (coag/ESR/CTAD): 3–4 inversions
Heparin (± gel): 8–10 inversions
EDTA (± gel): 8–10 inversions
Glucose (NaF + EDTA / oxalate / Na2EDTA): 8–10 inversions
Trace element / ACD: follow tube IFU (typically 3–10)
Centrifugation (when applicable; RCF × time):
Serum CAT: 1300 g × 10 min
Serum CAT + gel / Thrombin + gel:2000–3000 g × 10–15 min (or 4000 g × 5 min for thrombin+gel)
Citrate (coag):2000–2500 g × 10–15 min
Heparin (plasma): 1300–2000 g × 10 min (per tube type)
EDTA + gel (molecular):1100–1500 g × 10 min
Crossmatch serum (CAT): 1300 g × 10 min
Notes: swing-out rotors ~10 min; fixed-angle often ~15 min (per IFU).
Tube families (common venous use):
Serum: CAT; CAT + gel; Thrombin + gel (fast clot).
Coagulation:3.2% / 3.8% sodium citrate, CTAD (citrate + theophylline/adenosine/dipyridamole) to suppress in-vitro platelet activation.
Plasma:Lithium heparin or sodium heparin (± gel).
EDTA:K2EDTA / K3EDTA (± gel for molecular). K3EDTA + aprotinin for ACTH at room temp.
Glucose:NaF + K3EDTA, NaF + K-oxalate, or NaF + Na2EDTA.
Specials:Trace element (low-contam), Crossmatch (CAT / EDTA), ACD-A/B (blood grouping).
Quality & safety notes:
Fill citrate tubes precisely (9:1 blood:additive).
Underfilling or poor mixing risks clotting/hemolysis and recollection.
Use safety needles/sets; activate safety and dispose immediately.
Store/transport per tube shelf life (most 18 months; some 4–12 months) and temperature limits on label.