Serum separator tubes (SSTs) are a type of blood collection tube (vacutainer) commonly used in clinical laboratories for tests requiring serum. Color Tops of Serum Separator Tubes (Vacutainers) Red (plain): No additives, allows for natural clotting. Red with clot activator (speckled): Contains silica particles that promote clotting.

Most blood collection tubes contain an additive that either accelerates clotting of the blood (clot activator) or prevents the blood from clotting (anticoagulant). The list below lists the most commonly used blood collection tubes, their additives and uses in laboratory: 1. Red.

Mar 24, 2024 · Red tubes can be used for tests that need serum. However, gold tubes are generally preferred for serum tests, so red tubes are often used for specialized tests or as discard tubes. Also known as a Serum Separator Tube (SST), the gold-top tube has a gel that separates the serum from cells after spinning it.

Tubes with a red stopper are used to collect serum to test for routine donor screening or infectious disease. It contains a clot activator. Tubes with orange or gray/yellow tops are used to test serum that is needed right away.

Jan 28, 2025 · Red Vials. Red vials, often referred to as “serum separator tubes,” are the most ubiquitous type of blood collection tube. They typically contain no anticoagulant. (See Also: How to Make Brown by Mixing Colors – Easy Color Hacks)

Red-topped tubes have multiple serology applications including: Strep testing; Cold agglutinins; Haptoglobin C-reactive protein; Rubella titer; Phlebotomists will also use red stoppers for immunotherapy applications to check for patient compatibility before a transfusion. Light Blue Top

Feb 18, 2021 · What are vacutainer tubes? These are the color coded plastic tubes with rubber stopper. 2. Mention the different vacutainer tubes and their uses. 3. What is the ratio of sodium citrate used in coagulation studies? 4. What is the difference between plasma and serum? 5. What are the uses of plasma? 6. What are the uses of serum? 1.

BD Vacutainer ® Blood Collection Tubes support reliability, accuracy and integrity in the specimen pathway so clinicians get a quality specimen the first time. by numerous clinical studies demonstrating efficacy, performance characteristics and ease of use on a vast array of analytes and diagnostic platforms 4,5.

Mar 17, 2021 · ESR refers to Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate, to measures how fast red blood cells fall to the bottom of a tube. Inflammation causes create a protein in the blood that makes red blood cells fall more quickly.

Sep 27, 2024 · Red Vacutainer tubes are designed with distinct characteristics that make them essential in clinical laboratories. Their striking red color is more than just a visual cue; it indicates the absence of additives, allowing for serum testing.