Alert! Not all "red top tubes" are alike!

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Comparative Coagulation Laboratory

Some red top tubes (RTT) contain clot activators. These tubes are unacceptable for coagulation samples as they can deplete coagulation proteins and cause inaccurate results.  

Please check tube labels before use:

  • RTT labeled "no additive" = acceptable
     
  • RTT labeled "serum clot activator" = UNACCEPTABLE (see images below)

Unacceptable Red Top Tubes