Evacuated blood assortment tubes are manufactured with color-coded stoppers, every containing particular components designed to protect blood samples for various laboratory analyses. The colour of the stopper signifies the kind of additive current, facilitating correct specimen assortment and stopping cross-contamination that might compromise take a look at outcomes. For example, a lavender-top tube usually incorporates EDTA, an anticoagulant used for full blood counts, whereas a red-top tube normally incorporates no additive and is used for serum determinations.
The standardized color-coding system is important for correct diagnostic testing. It ensures that blood samples are collected and processed accurately, minimizing pre-analytical errors that may result in inaccurate or deceptive outcomes. This standardization enhances affected person security by lowering the chance of misdiagnosis or inappropriate therapy. Moreover, the system streamlines laboratory workflows, permitting technicians to shortly determine the suitable tube for a particular take a look at, thereby enhancing effectivity and lowering turnaround time for outcomes.