Best Practices for Handling and Storing Gold Top (SST) Tubes and Red Top Tubes in Clinical Laboratories

Summary

• Properly handling and storing gold top (SST) tubes and red top tubes is crucial to ensure accurate test results in clinical laboratories.
• It is important to follow specific guidelines for handling and storing these tubes to maintain sample integrity and prevent contamination.
• By understanding the best practices for handling and storing gold top (SST) tubes and red top tubes, laboratory professionals can maintain the quality of the samples and provide reliable test results to healthcare providers.

Introduction

Gold top (SST) tubes and red top tubes are commonly used in clinical laboratories for various blood tests. Proper handling and storage of these tubes are essential to ensure accurate test results. In this article, we will discuss the importance of properly handling and storing gold top (SST) tubes and red top tubes to maintain sample integrity and prevent any potential issues that may affect the reliability of test results.

Importance of Proper Handling and Storage

Proper handling and storage of gold top (SST) tubes and red top tubes are crucial for maintaining sample integrity and preventing contamination. Failing to follow specific guidelines for handling and storing these tubes can lead to inaccurate test results and compromise patient care. By understanding the importance of proper handling and storage, laboratory professionals can ensure the reliability of test results and provide healthcare providers with accurate diagnostic information.

Handling Gold Top (SST) Tubes

Gold top (SST) tubes contain a gel separator and clot activator that are essential for certain blood tests. When handling gold top (SST) tubes, it is important to:

1. Label the tubes correctly with the patient’s information to avoid any mix-ups.
2. Invert the tubes gently several times after collection to ensure proper mixing of the blood with the gel separator.
3. Avoid shaking or vigorous mixing of the tubes, as this can lead to hemolysis and affect test results.

Storage of Gold Top (SST) Tubes

Proper storage of gold top (SST) tubes is essential for maintaining sample integrity. When storing gold top (SST) tubes, it is important to:

1. Store the tubes upright in a rack to prevent any leakage of the gel separator.
2. Store the tubes at room temperature or as specified by the manufacturer to ensure the stability of the sample.
3. Avoid freezing or exposing the tubes to extreme temperatures, as this can lead to sample degradation.

Handling Red Top Tubes

Red top tubes are commonly used for various blood tests that do not require serum separation. When handling red top tubes, it is important to:

1. Label the tubes correctly with the patient’s information to avoid any mix-ups.
2. Invert the tubes gently after collection to prevent clotting and ensure proper mixing of the blood.
3. Avoid using red top tubes for tests that require serum separation, as they do not contain a gel separator.

Storage of Red Top Tubes

Proper storage of red top tubes is crucial for maintaining sample integrity and ensuring accurate test results. When storing red top tubes, it is important to:

1. Store the tubes upright in a rack to prevent any potential leakage.
2. Store the tubes at room temperature or as specified by the manufacturer to maintain sample stability.
3. Keep the tubes away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent any potential degradation of the sample.

Conclusion

Properly handling and storing gold top (SST) tubes and red top tubes are essential for maintaining sample integrity and ensuring accurate test results in clinical laboratories. By following specific guidelines for handling and storage, laboratory professionals can prevent contamination, maintain sample stability, and provide reliable diagnostic information to healthcare providers. Understanding the importance of proper handling and storage of these tubes is crucial for delivering quality patient care and maintaining the integrity of laboratory testing.

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