Fremantle Hospital and Health Service

Pathology Department
Medical Officers Manual
Code PCM-E1, PCM-E3

Blood Collection Tube Size and Colour Guide

VACUTAINER CAT, Red, 10 mL
Plain tube with clot activator. No anticoagulant.
Used for some research samples.
VACUTAINER SST II, Gold, 3.5 mL
Serum separation tube (clot activator no
anticoag).
For: Immunoglobulins, C3, C4, Haptoglobin,
Caeruloplasmin, Alpha 1 antitrypsin, Rheumatoid
factor, QEP & Immunofixation, Cryoglobulins,
Serum folate, NSE, and rostenedione,
aldosterone, lithium, ionised calcium, vitamins A,
E, B6 and B12
VACUTAINER SST II, Gold,, 5 mL
Serum separation tube (clot activator no
anticoagulant).
For: All serology.
VACUTAINER Dark Blue, 6.0mL
Serum
For: Trace elements only, including zinc and
aluminium
VACUTAINER 9NC, Light Blue, 2.7 mL
Tri-Sodium Citrate solution.
For: Coagulation tests only.
VACUTAINER Lithium Heparin LH PST II, Pale
Green, 3 mL
Plasma separation tube .
For: Routine and urgent Biochemistry except for
tests listed above for SS II Gold, 3.5mL.
ACUTAINER Sodium Heparin, Dark Green, 4mL
and 6.0mL.
Note Pink insert on the Dark Green cap
For: MPLA studies, Micro Array, Fragile X,
Karyotype

VACUTAINER ESR, Black, 1.8 mL

Sodium Citrate ESR.
For: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate.
VACUETTE ACD-B, Yellow, 9 mL
ACD-B (Acid Citrate Dextrose-B).
For: Immunology testing only eg HLA typing
VACUTAINER K2E, Purple, 3 mL
Whole blood EDTA (K 2 EDTA 5.4 mg).
For: Full blood count and haematology screen.
For B cell and T cell subsets - 2 tubes required.
First Issued
20 Jun 2002 Revisions 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 This version 4 Jan 2011
Revision Due
5 Dec 2012 Compiled by Katherine Smith,Pathology Quality Coordinator Fremantle;
Endorsed by Elaine Toogood, Phlebotomy Coordinator;
Title Blood collection tube size and colour guide
Page 1 of 2

Fremantle Hospital and Health Service

Pathology Department
Medical Officers Manual
Code PCM-E1, PCM-E3

VACUTAINER K2E, Pink, 6 mL

Whole blood EDTA (K 2 EDTA 10.8 mg).
For :Group and Hold, and cross matching
VACUTAINER K2E, Purple, 9 mL
Whole blood EDTA (K 2 EDTA 18mg).
For: PCR studies
VACUTAINER K2E Pearl Top
For: PTH only
VACUTAINER FX, Grey, 2 mL
Sodium Fluoride/Potassium oxalate.
or: Glucose only.
PLEASE NOTE:
**The tubes listed above are used at PathWest, Fremantle Hospital. PathWest
Laboratories at other sites may use tubes that are not on this list.
**For the most up-to-date version of this document, please access the intranet. We
do not recommend keeping printed copies as they can be superseded.**

For Paediatric collections only - Becton Dickinson Microtainer tubes are available:
The Clear and Amber Serum Separator tubes are equivalent to the 3.5 and 5.0 mL SST
Gel tubes. (Use the amber tubes if Bilirubin is to be assayed).
The Plasma Separator tube is equivalent to the 3.0 mL Heparin PST tube.
The Tube with K2EDTA is equivalent to the 3.0 mL K2EDTA tube.

Haemolysis warning
Never inject blood into the tube through a needle from a syringe.
Mix the blood with anticoagulants by inverting the tube gently several times.
Do NOT shake. Do NOT top up one tube from another.
When using the evacuated tube system, collect the EDTA tube last to prevent cross tube
contamination.
ALWAYS label the TUBES with the patient's Family name, Given name, Medical Record
Number, Date of Birth and the collection date and time.

First Issued
20 Jun 2002 Revisions 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 This version 4 Jan 2011
Revision Due
5 Dec 2012 Compiled by Katherine Smith,Pathology Quality Coordinator Fremantle;
Endorsed by Elaine Toogood, Phlebotomy Coordinator;
Title Blood collection tube size and colour guide
Page 2 of 2