What is the recommended order of draw for Microtainer tubes?
John Castro
Published Mar 01, 2026
What is the recommended order of draw for Microtainer tubes?
The order of draw is based on CLSI Procedures and Devices for the Collection of Capillary Blood Specimens; Approved Standard – Sixth Edition, September 2008. This standard recommends that EDTA tubes be drawn first to ensure good quality specimen, followed by other additive tubes and finally, serum specimen tubes.
What is the correct order of draw phlebotomy?
ORDER OF DRAW If just a routine coagulation assay is the only test ordered, then a single light blue top tube may be drawn. If there is a concern regarding contamination by tissue fluids or thromboplastins, then one may draw a non-additive tube first, and then the light blue top tube.
What is the order of the draw in order?
The draw order for specimen tubes is as follows:
- Blood culture.
- Blue tube for coagulation (Sodium Citrate)
- Red No Gel.
- Gold SST (Plain tube w/gel and clot activator additive)
- Green and Dark Green (Heparin, with and without gel)
- Lavender (EDTA)
- Pink – Blood Bank (EDTA)
- Gray (Oxalate/Fluoride)
How do you use a Microtainer tube?
Hold the finger in an upward position and lance the palm-side surface of the finger with proper-size lancet (adult/child). Press firmly on the finger when making the puncture. Doing so will help you to obtain the amount of blood you need. Cap the Microtainer® and gently invert it 10 times to prevent clots from forming.
Why is the order of draw important in phlebotomy?
Blood samples must be drawn by phlebotomists in a specific order to avoid cross-contamination of the sample by additives found in different collection tubes. Phlebotomy order of draw is the same for specimens collected by syringe, tube holder, or into tubes preevacuated at the time of collection.
Why is the order of draw important?
The order of draw is recommended for both glass and plastic venous collections tubes when drawing multiple specimens for medical laboratory testing during a single venipuncture. The purpose is to avoid possible test result error due to additive carryover.
Why is order of draw important in phlebotomy?
How do you remember the order of draw?
A mnemonic device is a phrase or saying that is easy to remember and relate back to in the future. It’s a great way to remember order of draw (OOD) because you can modify the sentence to be most helpful to you. In this example, the tubes that make the order of draw are identified by color.
What color is SST tube phlebotomy?
PHLEBOTOMY SERVICES
| STOPPER COLOR | CONTENTS | VOL. |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Top (Serum Separator, “SST”) | Contains separating gel and clot activator | 6.0 mL |
| Light Blue – Yellow Label on Tube | Thrombin | 2.0 mL |
| Green | Sodium heparin(100 USP Units) | 5.0 mL |
| Tan | K2 EDTA | 5.0 mL |
What is a rainbow lab draw?
The practice of collecting extra blood tubes at the time of initial phlebotomy, often referred to as a “rainbow draw” (because of the various colors of tube stoppers) is a common but controversial procedure in many emergency departments (EDs)3.
What is the yellow tube used for in the order of draw?
PHLEBOTOMY SERVICES
| STOPPER COLOR | CONTENTS | USES/COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| Green | Sodium heparin(100 USP Units) | Ammonia, Lactate, HLA Typing |
| Tan | K2 EDTA | Lead levels |
| Yellow | ACD Solution A consists of trisodium citrate, citric acid and dextrose | DNA Studies, HIV Cultures |
| Pink | (K2)EDTA | Blood type & Screen, Compatibility Study, Direct Coombs HIV Viral Load |
What are Microtainer tubes for?
Microtainer Blood Collection Tubes facilitate collection of a high-quality capillary blood sample. They include a Microgard™ closure with an integrated collector that ensures thorough mixing between blood and additive. Tubes are color-coded to indicate additive.
How to remember the Order of draw?
A mnemonic device is a phrase or saying that is easy to remember and relate back to in the future. It’s a great way to remember order of draw (OOD) because you can modify the sentence to be most helpful to you. In this example, the tubes that make the order of draw are identified by color.
What is the phlebotomy Order of draw?
The phlebotomy order of draw should also remain the same despite whether the tubes are glass or plastic. The order of draw is followed in every venous blood collection. This system is also used for inpatients, outpatients, and home care.
What is the correct order of draw in phlebotomy?
The basic order of draw followed by most phlebotomy laboratories is as follows: Yellow Top (or Yellow-Black). This tube is used for blood cultures. Light Blue. This tube contains sodium citrate , and is used for coagulation assays. Red. This tube does not contain any additives. Gray (with Red) or Gold.
What is the Order of blood draw tubes?
ORDER OF DRAW Blood collection tubes must be drawn in a specific order to avoid cross-contamination of additives between tubes. The recommended order of draw for plastic collection tubes is: First – blood culture bottle or tube (yellow or yellow-black top) Second – coagulation tube (light blue top).
