Order of Draw and Additives | Blood Collection

This paragraph introduces the video lesson on blood sampling, specifically phlebotomy and the critical order of draw when filling blood tubes. Eddie Watson, the presenter, emphasizes the importance of this procedure to avoid inaccurate results and potential misdiagnosis. The video aims to educate viewers on the correct sequence for drawing blood to ensure patient care is not compromised. The presenter invites viewers to subscribe to the channel for updates and to comment their knowledge of the order of draw for a check at the end of the video.

The second paragraph delves into the specifics of blood cultures, highlighting their importance as the first step in the order of draw due to the need to minimize contamination risk. Blood culture bottles, which may vary by manufacturer, contain nutrients and anticoagulants to support bacterial growth and identification. The presenter explains the process of drawing blood into aerobic and anaerobic blood culture bottles, noting the importance of maintaining sterility to affect patient treatment accurately.

This paragraph discusses various types of blood collection tubes used for coagulation studies and chemistry panels. The light blue tube, containing sodium citrate, is crucial for tests like PT, INR, and PTT, requiring a precise blood-to-citrate ratio. Red top tubes are less common for chemistry panels but are used for serum tests. The gold or SST tubes, with a gel separator, are typically used for send-out tests. The presenter stresses the importance of proper tube filling to prevent inaccurate test results.

The green top tube is the focus of this paragraph, which is commonly used for a wide range of chemistry tests and cardiac markers like troponin. Certain tests require the sample to be on ice immediately after drawing to preserve the integrity of the results. The paragraph explains the function of the gel and heparin in the green top tubes, which separate plasma from blood cells and prevent clotting, respectively.

The purple and pink top tubes are the subject of this paragraph, with the purple top used for hematology studies like CBC and A1C, and the pink top specifically for blood typing. Both tubes contain EDTA, which preserves cell morphology and inhibits clotting by binding calcium. The presenter warns of the high potassium content in EDTA and the potential for cross-contamination affecting test results.

The gray top tube is discussed for its use in specific tests such as lactate, ethanol, and fasting glucose levels. The tube contains sodium fluoride to stop glycolysis and potassium oxalate to prevent clotting. The presenter advises inverting the tube gently to mix the additives properly and reiterates the importance of the order of draw to avoid inaccurate results.

In the concluding paragraph, the presenter summarizes the proper order of draw for blood tubes, which was introduced sequentially throughout the video. The order is critical to prevent cross-contamination of additives and ensure accurate test results. A mnemonic device, 'Stoplight Red Stay Green Power Light Go', is provided to help memorize the order. The presenter encourages viewers to understand the 'why' behind the procedures for easier implementation and invites feedback on the video's effectiveness.