Serum-separating tubes, also known as serum separator tubes or SSTs, are used in medical clinical chemistry tests requiring blood serum.

What does SST tube stand for?

SST refers to the Serum Separator Tube containing clot activator and serum separator gel. PST refers to the Plasma Separator Tube containing lithium heparin and plasma separator gel. ... The gel may separate when it is frozen and thawed, resulting in red cell contamination of the sample.

What is the difference between a red top tube and an SST tube?

Red Top: Does not contain an anticoagulant. This tube is used for collecting serum or clotted whole blood specimens. This tube should be used for all drug levels. Serum Separator Tube (SST) (Tiger Top): Does not contain an anticoagulant but contains a clot activator and serum separator gel.

What is SST in phlebotomy?

Serum separator tube (SST) contains a. gel at the bottom to separate blood cells. from serum on centrifugation.

What does PST stand for in phlebotomy?

PST. Plasma Separation Tube. PT. Prothrombin Time (Blood test that measures how long it takes blood to clot)

Chemistry: Clotted Serum Separator Tube (SST)

25 related questions found

What is PST in blood test?

Abstract. Aims: Potassium sensitivity test (PST) has been used as an optional tool in diagnosing painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC). The role of PST in the follow-up of patients with PBS/IC is elusive.

What are ACD blood tubes used for?

Yellow-top tube (ACD)

This tube contains ACD, which is used for the collection of whole blood for special tests. NOTE: After the tube has been filled with blood, immediately invert the tube 8-10 times to mix and ensure adequate anticoagulation of the specimen.

What tube is used for blood cultures?

Isolater tube: 10 mL (adult) or 1.5 mL (pediatric) glass tube with yellow and black stopper containing liquid. Used for mycobacteria, fungus, or AFB blood cultures.

What is a gold SST blood test for?

Specimen required: 5ml serum SST (Gold top) Tests are performed by the immunology department at St Richards Hospital. This combined test will detect auto antibodies to gastric parietal cells; mitochondria; smooth muscle and liver-kidney microsomes.

What color is PST tube?

Green – Tube contains Lithium Heparin, PST™ Gel additive with or without Amber Coating to protect light sensitive assays, used for plasma chemistry testing. Mix by inverting 10 – 15 times immediately after collection. Tube inversions prevent clotting. 5.

How long does SST tube last?

After proper centrifugation, serum can be left in contact with the gel barrier of SST tubes for up to 5 days with proper storage.

What happens if you underfill a tube with blood?

If tubes are underfilled, the blood:anticoagulant ratio may result in hemolysis. Avoid underfilling tubes by having an ample supply of tubes of various capacities.

What color are gel barrier tubes?

Gel-barrier Tubes.

Gel-barrier (mottled red/gray, gold, or cherry red-top) tubes contain clot activator and gel for separating serum from cells but include no anticoagulant.

How many times do you invert a SST tube?

volume of blood should fill the tube to the line indicated on the vacutainer label. Mix. Immediately after collection, before clotting can occur, gently mix the blood collection tube by inverting 8-10 times.

What causes a partially spun SST tube?

Position identical tube types immediately across from each other. If you do not have an even number of SST tubes, use a valance tube of equal type and volume. Which may cause a partially spun SST tube: Allowing the tube to clot for 10 minutes.

Can you draw blood cultures from a PICC line?

Collect one set of blood cultures from a Peripheral Stab AND from EACH indwelling line (arterial, central line, PICC). Each set of blood cultures consists of one anaerobic and one aerobic bottle. Cultures from all sites should be drawn within 15 minutes.

Which blood culture do you draw first?

The blue (aerobic) blood culture bottle should be filled first, then the purple (anaerobic) bottle as the butterfly tubing may contain air. Air entering the purple bottle will impede the growth of anaerobic organisms.

What is ACD in phlebotomy?

ACD. Acid Citrate Dextrose - Additive used for Immunohematology tests ie. DNA and Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Phenotyping used in praternity evaluations and to determine transplant compatibility.

What is heparin tube?

Heparin VACUETTE® heparin tubes are coated on the inside wall with spray-dried lithium, ammonium or sodium heparin and are used to determine analytes in clinical chemistry. The additive acts as an anticoagulant, and blocks the clotting cascade.

Which anticoagulant is used for PRP?

Anticoagulant Citrate Dextrose Solution, commonly known as ACD-A or Solution A is a non-pyrogenic, sterile solution. This element is utilized as an anticoagulant in the production of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with PRP Systems for extracorporeal blood processing.

What is the difference between ACD solution A and B?

What is the difference between ACD solution A and ACD solution B? ... The ACD (acid citrate dextrose) in solution A is concentrated for 8.5 mls of blood. The ACD in solution B is concentrated for 6 mls of blood.

How does SST tube work?

Trademarked versions of the SST include Covidien "Corvac" tubes. They contain a special gel that separates blood cells from serum, as well as particles to cause blood to clot quickly. The blood sample can then be centrifuged, allowing the clear serum to be removed for testing.

What is a PST lab tube?

BD Vacutainer® PST™ Tubes contain spray-coated lithium heparin and a gel for plasma separation. They are used for plasma determinations in chemistry.