What is the recommended order of draw for collecting blood specimens?

The recommended order of draw for collecting blood specimens is essential for preventing cross-contamination of additives in the tubes, which could lead to erroneous test results. The correct order begins with yellow, which typically contains sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS) for blood cultures, allowing for the proper growth of bacteria without interference from other additives. Following yellow, the red tube is next, which is often used for serum tests and contains no additives, helping to prevent any contamination from others that may affect serum results.

Next, the green tube, which contains heparin as an anticoagulant, is drawn to ensure that its anticoagulant effects are not compromised by the additives in the previous tubes. Lastly, the lavender tube is used, which contains EDTA, another anticoagulant, often employed for complete blood counts and other hematology tests.

This order helps ensure the integrity of each blood specimen by minimizing the risk of additive interference, thereby yielding accurate and reliable laboratory results. Understanding the appropriate order of draw is a critical part of phlebotomy training and practice, as improper techniques can lead to challenges in diagnosing and treating medical conditions.

Other options do not follow the standard order of draw guidelines, which may result in potential contamination and compromised