Chapter 13: Diagnostic tests
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Pre‐procedural considerations
Equipment
There are specific medical devices required for the various methods of blood sampling; however, blood tubes are common throughout the NHS. It is important that the correct blood tube is used for each test. Blood tubes contain special additives relevant to the type of test required, usually indicated by the colour of the tube top. The practitioner should ensure that the correct tube is selected by referring to local guidelines. Correct ‘order of draw’ should be followed to avoid transferring additive from one tube to another when filling (Garza and Becan‐McBride [66], Pagana and Pagana [177]).
