What is the correct order of draw for blood specimens?

The correct order of draw for blood specimens is vital to ensuring that test results are accurate and reliable. This order minimizes the risk of contamination between different additives present in the collection tubes, which could impact the tests being performed.

The chosen answer indicates that blood cultures are drawn first to prevent any contamination by additives from subsequent tubes, followed by light blue tubes that contain sodium citrate, which is crucial for coagulation studies. Next, the red tubes are utilized, which are typically used for serum tests and do not contain any additives that could interfere with the results. Following that, green tubes, which contain heparin and are used for various tests including stat chemistry, are drawn. The order continues with lavender tubes containing EDTA, which are primarily used for hematology tests, and finally, gray tubes containing sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate, used for glucose testing, are collected last.

In contrast, other sequences do not adhere to this crucial practice and could potentially lead to inaccurate test results due to cross-contamination from anticoagulants or preservatives in the tubes. Therefore, following the correct order is essential for maintaining the integrity of blood specimens in laboratory analyses.