|
 |
| Product FAQs |
|
![[spacer image]](/images/spacer_gray.gif)
|
FAQs
Venous Blood Collection
Capillary Blood Collection
Urine Collection
Accessories
- Why do some BD
Vacutainer® lavender top blood collection tubes contain K2EDTA
and others contain K3EDTA?
BD Vacutainer® glass blood collection tubes contain K3EDTA,
the liquid form of EDTA.BD Vacutainer® Plus Plastic blood
collection tubes contain K2EDTA, the salt of EDTA, which is spray-dried
to the walls of the tube. K2EDTA is recommended by the NCCLS (National
Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards H1-A4 Vol. 16 #13
December 1996) and the ICSH (International Council for Standardization
in Hematology).
- Can the BD Vacutainer® Plus Plastic EDTA Tube be used for routine blood bank procedures?
Yes, the BD Vacutainer® K2EDTA Plus Plastic Tube has received
routine FDA clearance for red cell grouping, Rh typing, and antibody
screening.
- What are the
differences between the lavendar stopper BD Vacutainer® K2EDTA Tube and the pink Hemogard™ closure BD
Vacutainer® K2EDTA Tube?
The differences are the types of closures and the labeling. The
lavender stopper can either be rubber or a Hemogard™ closure
on a Plus Plastic Tube. Product 367899, a 6 mL Plus Plastic Tube,
has a distinct pink Hemogard™ closure and a label that meets
the American Association of Blood Banks requirements. It is not
available in any other size, closure, or color. The additive is
the same in both tubes.
- What differences can I expect to see in hematological parameters when I switch from BD Vacutainer® K3EDTA to BD Vacutainer® K2EDTA?
K3EDTA is a liquid and will dilute the sample ~ 1-2%. K2EDTA is spray-dried on the walls of the tube and will not dilute the sample. Slightly higher results have been seen from the K2EDTA tube in some CBC parameters, but none of these were clinically significant. It is important to mix the sample 8 - 10 times immediately after collection to ensure all the anticoagulant is thoroughly mixed with the blood sample.
- What is the minimum volume of blood that should be collected into a BD additive tube?
BD tubes are designed to yield within ± 10% of the stated draw volume on the label of the additive tube throughout the entire shelf life. (NCCLS Evacuated Tubes and Additives for Blood Specimen Collection-Fourth Edition H1-A4 Vol.16 #13 December 1996)
- Learn more about K2EDTA and K3EDTA
Sodium Citrate Tubes
Heparin Tubes
- Do BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Tubes containing lithium heparin and sodium heparin also contain preservatives?
No, all BD Vacutainer® Heparin Blood Collection Tubes are preservative-free.
Trace Element Tubes
- What trace element analyses can be performed using BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Tubes for Trace Element Testing?
We monitor for the following metals in our BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Tubes: Antimony Arsenic, Cadmium, Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Lead, Magnesium, Manganese, Zinc.
- Which BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Tubes are recommended for lead testing?
Venous
- The K2EDTA Plus Plastic Tube with tan Hemogard™ closure (#367855)
- The sodium-heparin glass tube with brown Hemogard™ closure (#367734)
Capillary
- The K2EDTA BD Microtainer® Tube with Microgard™ closure (#365974)
SPS Tubes
- Where are SPS (sodium polyanethol sulfonate) tubes used?
SPS tubes are used for blood culture specimen collection in microbiology. Eight gentle tube inversions will prevent the blood from clotting.
Sterile Field Tubes
- Do you offer BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Tubes for use in a sterile field, such as the delivery room/operating room?
Yes, BD Vacutainer® Systems Preanalytical Solutions provides tubes with sterile exteriors for use in the delivery room/operating room. Two glass tubes, a 10 mL red stopper and 7 mL lavendar stopper tube, are packaged together in a sterile peel-apart pouch. The reorder number is 366401.
Plus Plastic Tubes
- What are BD Vacutainer® Plus Plastic Blood Collection Tubes?
The BD Vacutainer® Plus Plastic Blood Collection Tube is a shatter-resistant plastic blood collection tube developed to provide venous blood specimen collection, transport and processing equivalent to our cenventional glass evacuated tube line.
- What are BD Vacutainer® Plus Plastic Blood Collection Tubes made of and what centrifuge speed can they withstand?
The BD Vacutainer® Plus Plastic Tube is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate). They can withstand up to 10,000 RCF in a balanced centrifuge.
- What coatings layer the walls of BD Vacutainer® Plus Plastic Serum Tubes?
BD Vacutainer® Plus Plastic Serum Tubes are coated with silicone and micronized silica particles to accelerate clotting. A silicone coating reduces adherence of red cells to tube walls.
Gel Tubes
- What is the clot activator in BD Vacutainer® SST™ Serum Separation Tubes?
The silica particles that coat the walls of the BD Vacutainer® SST™ tube are the clot activator. Initial activation occurs when blood enters the tube and contacts the particles on the tube wall. To continue the activation process, it is necessary to thoroughly mix the blood and particles by inverting the tube five times.
- Why do the inside walls of the BD Vacutainer® SST™ Tubes appear white and cloudy? Are the tubes still all right to use?
The walls of BD Vacutainer® SST™ Serum Separation Tubes are coated with silica particles as a clot activator. The coating process creates a film on the tube surface that appears white and slightly cloudy. The tubes are absolutely fine to use. However, it is important to remember to invert the SST™ Tube at least five times after filling. This assures adequate mixing of silica particles with the blood, which is required for optimal performance.
- What is the purpose of the gel in BD Vacutainer® SST™ Serum Separation Tubes?
The gel forms a physical barrier between serum or plasma and blood cells during centrifugation. It is important to note that after collection, BD Vacutainer® SST™ Serum Separation Tubes should be inverted five times, allowed 30 minutes clotting time, and centrifuged for 10 minutes at 1000-1300 RCF (g) in a swing bucket centrifuge. BD Vacutainer® PST™ Plasma Separation Tubes should be inverted 8 times, and centrifuged for 10 minutes at 1000-1300 RCF (g) in a swing bucket centrifuge.
- What is an SST™ transport tube?
The BD Vacutainer® SST™ Serum Separation Transport Tube contains double the amount of gel used in the regular SST™ tubes. This provides a thick barrier that remains intact during transportation, thereby maintaining the quality of the sample for the lab analysis. It is intended for use primarily when specimens are collected and centrifuged in physician laboratories or other remote collection stations, and then transported back to the laboratory for analysis.
- Can I re-centrifuge BD Vacutainer® gel tubes?
BD does not recommend re-centrifuging gel tubes once the barrier has formed. Re-centrifugation could cause cell lysis, resulting in the release of intracellular contents into the serum or plasma.
- How soon after collection should BD Vacutainer® gel tubes be centrifuged?
Gel separation tubes should be centrifuged nolater than 2 hours after collection.
- What is the difference between Vacutainer® SST™ and PST™ Blood Collection Tubes?
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.
Common Tube Questions
- How should BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Tubes be stored before use?
BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Tubes should be stored at 4° - 25°C (39° - 77°F), unless otherwise noted on the package label.
- Are BD Vacutainer® Tubes sterile?
Yes, BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Tubes have a sterile interior. Tubes are sterilized by gamma radiation.
- Can BD Vacutainer® Tubes be re-sterilized?
BD Vacutainer® Tubes are irradiated to achieve sterility. These tubes are sterile on the interior only. We cannot recommend re-sterilizing the tubes, i.e., ETO (ethylene oxide) or autoclaving, primarily due to pressure changes that take place during the re-sterilization cycle. Our tubes are under a specific negative pressure. During the re-sterilization cycle this negative pressure may be disrupted and therefore the tubes may not draw the proper blood volume.
- Why is there an expiration date on BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Tubes?
The expiration date indicates the shelf life of the product as determined by functional testing. To
assure accurate draw and test reliability, tubes must be used by the expiration date. Expiration
dates are printed on every BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Tube and its packaging. The tube
expires on the last day of the month printed on the label.
- What is a BD Hemogard™ safety tube closure?
The BD HemogardT safety tube closure has a unique rubber stopper that seals
BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Tubes. It is recessed within and covered by a plastic shield to help protect laboratory personnel from contact with blood on the stopper or around the outer rim of the tube. The BD Hemogard™ tube closure also helps prevent blood from splattering when the tube is opened. (Explain how tube should sit flush to bottom centrifugation and not above lip).
- What are the recommended centrifugation speeds and times for BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Tubes?
Speed & Time In A Swinghead Centrifuge:
| Product |
Speed (RCF,g) |
Time (min.) |
| SST™ and PST™ Tubes |
1000 - 1300 |
10 |
| Plus SST™ and PST™ Tubes 13mm |
1100 - 1300 |
10 |
| Plus SST™ and PST™ Tubes 16mm |
1000 - 1300 |
10 |
| All gel transport Tubes |
1100 - 1300 |
15 |
| All non-gel Tubes |
< or = 1300 |
10 |
| Citrate Tubes* |
1500 |
15 |
RCF = Relative Centrifugal Force, g
*Citrate tubes should be centrifuged at a speed and time to consistently produce platelet-poor plasma (platelet count <10,000 µL) per NCCLS "Collection, Transport, and Processing of Blood Specimens for Coagulation Testing and General Performance of Coagulation Assays" H21-A3 Vol. 18#20 Dec. '98.
- How are BD Vacutainer® products packaged?
Most BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Tubes and needles are packaged 100/box and 1,000/case except for the Eclipse needle that is packaged 48/box.
- Sometimes I have a problem with a blood collection tube not filling properly?
This may be due to sidewall piercing, when the back end of the needle imbeds in the wall of the stopper rather than passing through the center of the stopper. Be sure to screw the holder onto the needle. This helps center the needle in the holder and prevents the back end of the needle from imbedding in the wall of the stopper.
- What are the intended uses for the BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Set and the BD Safety-Lok&trade Blood Collection Set?
Both BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Sets and BD Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Sets are used in combination with BD Vacutainer® Needle Holders and BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Tubes as a system for the collection of venous blood. They are the option for patients in whom blood drawing is difficult, e.g., those with small veins or who are unable to move to the arm-down position, which is recommended to prevent backflow and/or contamination of samples.
(NCCLS H3-A4 June 1998)
- How are BD Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Sets packaged?
Both the BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Sets and BD Safety-Lok™ Safety Winged Blood Collection Sets are packaged 50/box and 200/case.
- Can BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Sets, BD Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Sets, BD E-Z Set™ blood collection and infusion set, and BD Saf-T E-Z Set™ blood collection and infusion set be used for intravenous administration of fluids or blood collection procedures?
Yes, all of these products can be used to administer intravenous fluids or for blood collection procedures.
- I had trouble activating the safety shield of the BD Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Set. What went wrong?
Withdraw the BD Safety-Lok™ blood collection set by grasping the translucent yellow safety shield grip area with the thumb and index finger. Note: If you grasp the shield along the sides, you will prevent the wings from sliding back along the track inside the shield. The thumb should be on top of the grip area. With the opposite hand, grasp tubing between thumb and index finger. Push the yellow shield forward until the safety shield is locked in place and you hear a click. Discard into an approved sharps container.
- Why do I need to hold the wings during insertion? Why can't I just hold the sides of the safety shield?
Inserting the needle by holding the wings will give you a greater sense of control to perform the phlebotomy. If you hold the sides, the safety shield will slide forward over the needle when the point of the needle makes contact with the skin. Continue to use your current technique of insertion by holding the wings. Remember, after insertion, the wings are never touched again.
- Why can't I withdraw the BD Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Set from the patient by grasping a wing?
The wings are attached to the needle and then to the tubing. Holding the wings will not allow the safety shield to be pushed forward and locked into place.
- What is the difference between BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Sets and BD Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Sets?
The BD Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Set has a safety shield which minimizes the possibility of needlesticks. As the needle is withdrawn from the patient, the healthcare worker pushes a translucent yellow shield forward over the needle, reducing the risk of accidental needlestick injury. The BD Safety-Lok™ shield is intended to minimize the possibility of needlesticks from the point of collection through disposal. The protective safety shield meets current OSHA safety standards for engineering controls.
- Where can I order the BD Vacutainer® Blood collection Collection Set and the BD Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Sets?
From an authorized BD Vacutainer Systems distributor.
- Can the BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Set or the BD Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Set be used for infusion?
These products are cleared for infusion as well as the BD E-Z Set™ and/or the BD Saf-T
E-Z Set™ blood collection and infusion set.
- Does the BD Vacutainer® Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Set (SLBCS) contain latex?
The BD Vacutainer® Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Set is manufactured with a gray rubber sleeve that is latex free.
- Can the BD Vacutainer® Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Set be used with a syringe?
The BD Vacutainer® Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Set can be used with a syringe when it is used without a luer adapter. The syringe will attach to the female end of the Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Set. Once the blood has been drawn into the syringe, ensure that the safety mechanism on the winged needle set is properly activated. The use of any needle for the purpose of transferring blood directly from a syringe to a specimen container continues to be prohibited by Federal OSHA. The syringe should be attached to a device, such as the BD™ Blood Transfer Device, that meets all procedural and safety standards for blood transfer.
- When and why must the air be purged from the BD Vacutainer® Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Set and the BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Set tubing?
When collecting only a sodium citrate tube for PT and/or APTT testing, a plain glass discard tube should be used first to purge the air from the tubing and allow a full draw into the citrate tube.
- How much air is in the 12-inch and 7-inch tubing of the BD Vacutainer® Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Set and the BD Vacutainer® Blood Collection Set?
The 12-inch tubing contains 0.5 mL of air and the 7-inch tubing contains 0.3 mL of air.
- Is the BD Vacutainer® Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Set compatible with the BD Pronto™ Holder and BD™ One Use Stackable Holder?
Yes, all BD blood collection sets are compatible with all BD holders.
- Why must the pink safety shield on the BD Eclipse™ needle be gently rotated back toward the holder?
The pink shield is gently rotated back so it doesn't obstruct your view during venipuncture and collection. The pink shield is attached to the needle to provide protection from accidental needlesticks. The shield is directly in line with the bevel of the needle and all collections are performed with the bevel in the "UP" position.
- Will there be any change in my collection technique when using BD Eclipse™ needles?
No. The needle itself is the same BD Vacutainer® PrecisionGlide™ needle that you are now using. The only difference is the added BD Eclipse™ safety shield, which provides protection from accidental needlestick injuries.
- The BD Eclipse™ Blood Collection Needle does not feel like it is secure in the BD Pronto™ holder.
Usually this is because the user has over-torqued the needle onto the holder. This can be identified by an audible click when the holder is being screwed onto the needle. Push in the white button. Hold the BD Eclipse™ needle in the hand you write with. Thread the needle into the holder just until it feels snug; this will help prevent you from exceeding the torque specifications of the holder.
- The BD Eclipse™ needle is not releasing easily when I push the green button on the BD Pronto™ holder?
This is usually due to the user obstructing the opening mechanism. While pushing the green button, make sure that you do not have your finger on the white reset button, as this will impede the release of the needle. Hold the needle and holder vertically over the sharps container and release the needle by pressing the green button.
- How are BD Microtainer® Tubes packaged?
All BD Microtainer® Tubes are packaged 50/bag, 200/case.
- Is there clot activator on the walls of the BD Microtainer® Serum Separator Tube?
The BD Microtainer® Serum Separator Tube with Microgard™ closure has clot activator on the walls. (#365967) The BD Microtainer® Serum Separator Tube with an attachable flo-top collector does not have a clot activator on the walls. (#365956)
- What is the recommended order of draw for BD Microtainer® tubes?
- EDTA tubes
- Other additive tubes
- Serum tubes
(NCCLS "Procedures and Devices for the Collection of Diagnostic Blood Specimens by Skin Puncture" H4-A4 Vol. 19 #16 September1999)
- What are the puncture depths of BD Genie™ Lancets?
The blue lancet penetrates 2.0 mm. (#366582)
The green lancet penetrates 1.5 mm. (#366581)
The pink lancet penetrates 1.0 mm. (#366580)
The blade width for all 3 lancets is 1.5 mm.
The 23 gauge orange lancet penetrates 2.25 mm. (#366583)
The 28 gauge purple lancet penetrates 1.25 mm. (#366579)
- Why should I use more than one type of lancet?
Different types of BD Genie™ Lancets are needed to accommodate different needs, blood volume, and patient types.
- What are the advantages of the BD Genie™ Lancets?
The BD Genie™ Lancet has a consistent puncture depth and a blade that automatically and permanently retracts, provides safety to the patient and the healthcare professional.
- How do I know which BD Genie™ Lancet to use?
This chart was designed to aid users in selecting the BD Genie™ Lancet most appropriate for their particular blood collection needs.
| Color |
Depth/Dimension |
Blood Volume |
Application
for Use |
| Purple |
1.25 mm x 28 G
needle |
Single Blood Drop |
Fingersticks |
| Orange |
2.25 mm x 23 G
needle |
Single Blood Drop |
Fingersticks for
glucose testing |
| Pink |
1.0 mm x x1.5 mm,
blade |
Low Blood flow |
Fingersticks, for
a microhematocrit tube or drop of blood for glucose testing |
| Green |
1.5 mm x x1.5 mm,
blade |
Medium Blood flow |
Fingersticks, to
fill a single BD Microtainer tube |
| Blue |
2.0 mm x x1.5 mm,
blade |
High Blood Flow |
Fingersticks, to
fill BD Microtainer tubes |
- Why use a BD Vacutainer® Urine Collection Kit for urine collection when I can use just a paper cup?
For simple dipstick urine tests performed at the collection site, a paper cup is fine. For urine specimens that need to be transported to the lab, the BD Vacutainer® Urine Collection Kit is cleaner. It allows fast, easy transfer of urine from the cup to either a urinalysis tube or a culture and sensitivity tube, and closed tube transport to the laboratory.
- What is the preservative in the BD Vacutainer® Culture & Sensitivity Tube (gray top)?
The preservative in the BD Vacutainer® C&S (gray top) tube is a combination of sodium formate and boric acid. The preservative helps to preserve the level of bacteria present at collection.
- How long may the urine sample collected in the Culture & Sensitivity Tube be held before culture is performed?
The urine sample may be held at room temperature for 48 hours before test results are compromised.
- What is the preservative in the BD Vacutainer® Plastic UA Preservative Tube?
The preservative in the BD Vacutainer® UA Preservative tube is a combination of Chlorhexidine, Ethyl Paraben and Sodium Propionate. It is a mercury free preservative that meets the EPA and American Hospital Association's requirements for a mercury free disposal environment.
- How long may the urine sample collected in the BD Vacutainer® Plastic UA Preservative Tube be held before urinalysis testing?
The urine sample may be held at room temperature for 72 hours.
- Is the BD Vacutainer® Plastic UA Preservative Tube compatible with analyzers?
The BD Vacutainer® Plastic UA Preservative Tube is compatible with the Bayer Clinitek Atlas®, the BMC Iris 900UDX® and the manual KOVA® systems.
- Can the BD Vacutainer® Culture & Sensitivity Preservative Tube be used for routine urinalysis testing?
BD does not recommend using the Culture & Sensitivity preservative tube for routine urinalysis testing. Erroneous results may be seen for several of the chemistry parameters.
- How can blood be safely transferred from a syringe to blood collection tubes or a blood culture bottle?
The use of a conventional hypodermic needle and syringe to transfer venous blood to a blood collection tube or blood culture bottle is both a dangerous procedure and an OSHA prohibited practice. The BD™ Blood Transfer Device is a latex free, single use device that reduces the risk of transfer related injuries while maintaining the specimen integrity. (OSHA Standard 1910.1030(d)(2)(vii)(A).
- Does BD have a latex free tourniquet?
Yes, BD sells the Vacutainer® Brand Stretch Latex Free Tourniquet. It is packaged in a compact box that allows for convenient dispensing.
|
|
![[spacer image]](/images/shadow_top_left.gif){kind=small}
United States
![[spacer image]](/images/spacer_white.gif){kind=small}
![[spacer image]](/images/shadow_top_right.gif){kind=small}
![[spacer image]](/images/shadow_left.gif){kind=small}
![[spacer image]](/images/spacer_blue.gif){kind=small}
![[spacer image]](/images/shadow_right.gif){kind=small}
![[spacer image]](/images/shadow_bottom_left.gif){kind=small}
![[spacer image]](/images/shadow_bottom.gif){kind=small}
![[spacer image]](/images/shadow_bottom_right.gif){kind=small}