Collecting Blood for Testing Chart

Stephanie Preston

One of the local lab options in my area is LabCorp. LabCorp provides care providers with most
of the necessary equipment to complete the draws. The also provide a centrifuge to spin tests
that need it as well. (Items with (*) next to it are not provided by LabCorp)The equipment used
for draws includes;
● Needles
● Tourniquet
● Gauze*
● Alcohol wipes*
● Gloves*
● Vacutainer
● Band-aids*
● Tubes (the most common we use are lavender top and tiger top with gel barrier)
● Requisition forms for order the tests
● Biohazard bag to place the specimen in
● A centrifuge
● A box to place on your door or porch to place the specimen in for pickup.
● Sharps container*
Below is a list of some of the most common tests that we may send to the lab for testing. The
numbers listed are the LabCorp test number used to order the test.
● 231950 – Obstetric Panel including HIV
○ Uses 3 – 10 ml gel-barrier tubes and two lavender top tubes. Spin the gel-barrier
tubes in centrifuge within 45 min of collection. All should be refrigerated except
one lavender top can be kept at room temp for 24hrs.
● 005009 – CBC with differential platelet
○ Uses 1 lavender top tube. Stored at room temperature. Does not get spun.
● 006064 – Rh Factor
○ Uses 1 lavender top tube. Should be tested as soon as possible. If it can’t be
tested immediately it should be stored at 2-8 degrees C. Does not get spun.
Below are the steps to setting up and performing a blood draw.
● Gather all necessary supplies (typically we do this before the client arrives)
○ Tourniquet, gauze, alcohol wipes, chux pad, venipuncture needle, vacutainer, the
tubes needed for the test(s), sharps container, requisition form, and biohazard
bag and gloves.
● Before starting the blood draw ensure the client is in a comfortable position and is well
hydrated. The clients arm should be in an extended and supported position with a chux
pad underneath their arm. Ensure that the client has no questions and that they are
aware and consent to the tests you are running.
● Perform the venipuncture filling all the required tubes for the tests you are running and
then send them to the lab following their instructions. For LabCorp that involves placing
the form and the tubes in the box provided then calling to request a specimen pick up. A
few days later we receive the results.