Types of Blood specimens

1-Whole blood

Types of whole blood specimen

1. Intravenous whole blood: The most widely used whole blood blood sample comes from the vein. The site of blood collection is the anterior cubital vein and the wrist vein. In children and neonates, the jugular vein and the femoral vein are sometimes used.

2. Arterial whole blood: It is mainly used for blood gas analysis. There are femoral arteries, iliac arteries and iliac arteries at the blood collection site.

3. Capillaries whole blood: also known as skin blood collection, apply to only a small amount of blood tests or infants and young children, the site of the earlobe, fingertips, sometimes and children with big toe or heel.

Important precautions

Whole blood is obtained when blood is drawn into a tube containing an anticoagulant. The tube is mixed thoroughly and is not centrifuged.

When whole blood is the required specimen, please use the following procedure:

-Determine the tube type needed and the required volume.

-The tube must be filled completely and gently inverted at least 10 times immediately after drawing. Do not shake the tube. Shaking may cause hemolysis and result in specimen rejection.

-Label the tube with the patient's full name (first and last), date of birth, collection date, and the requested test.

1. Serum

   
   

   
   

   Serum is the liquid portion of the blood obtained after a serum sample tube has been allowed to clot and is centrifuged. The serum tube may or may not contain a separator gel. The tubes that contain

   separator gel are commonly called Serum Separator Tubes (SST®). For those tests requiring serum, please use the following procedure:

   Use a tube with no anticoagulant (i.e. red-top tube, or yellow- top-tube).

   
   

   -Invert the tube 5 or 6 times after drawing to hasten the clotting process. Do not shake the tube. Shaking may cause hemolysis and result in specimen rejection.

   
   

   -Allow the specimen to clot in an upright position for 30 minutes, then centrifuge for 10-15 minutes at 2500-3000 RPM.

   
   

   -Serum must be removed from the clot within 45-60 minutes after collection. Transfer the required amount of serum to a plastic transfer tube and cap securely. When removing the serum, be sure not to aspirate any blood cells.

   
   

   -Please label the plastic transfer tube with the patient's full name (first and last), date of birth, collection date, and the requested test

   
   

2. plasma

Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood obtained after centrifuging specimens collected in tubes containing an anticoagulant. When plasma is required for an assay, use the following procedure:

-Determine the tube type required to obtain the appropriate plasma sample.

-Tubes containing anticoagulants should always be filled to the mark and gently inverted at least 10 times immediately after drawing to assure proper mixing. Do not shake the tubes. Shaking may cause hemolysis and result in specimen rejection.

-The tubes should be centrifuged for 10 minutes at 2500-3000 RPM. After centrifugation, place the plasma in a plastic transfer tube and cap securely. When you are removing the plasma, be careful not to aspirate any blood cells.

-Please label the transfer tube with the patient's full name (first and last), date of birth, collection date, requested test(s), and the type of anticoagulant used.