BD Vacutainer® PPT™ Plasma Preparation Tube

Warnings & Precautions

For In Vitro Diagnostic Use

1. Do not re-use BD Vacutainer® PPT™ - Plasma Preparation Tubes.
2. Do not use BD PPT™Tubes after expiration date printed on the tube label.
3. Since this BD PPT™Tube contains a chemical additive (EDTA), precautions should be taken to prevent possible backflow from the tube during blood drawing (See Prevention of Backflow section).
4. Excessive centrifugation speed (over 10,000 RCF) may cause BD PPT™Tube breakage, exposure to blood and possible injury.
5. Conduct uniform handling throughout the monitoring cycle as higher viral load values may be detected on frozen samples.*
6. CAUTION:
   • Practice Universal Precautions. Use gloves, gowns, eye protection, other personal protective equipment, and engineering controls to protect from blood splatter, blood leakage, and potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
   • Handle all biologic samples and blood collection "sharps" (lancets, needles, luer adapters, and blood collection sets) according to the policies and procedures of your facility. Obtain appropriate medical attention in the event of any exposure to biologic samples (for example, through a puncture injury), since they may transmit viral hepatitis, HIV (AIDS), or other infectious diseases. Utilize any built-in used needle protector, if the blood collection device provides one. BD does not recommend reshielding used needles. However, the policies and procedures of your facility may differ and must always be followed.
   • Discard all blood collection tubes in biohazard containers approved for their disposal.
   • Transferring a sample from a syringe to a tube is not recommended. Additional manipulation of sharps increases the potential for needlestick injury. In addition,depressing the syringe plunger during transfer can create a positive pressure, forcefully displacing the stopper and sample and causing a potential blood exposure. Using a syringe for blood transfer may also cause over or underfilling of tubes, resulting in an incorrect blood-to-additive ratio and potentially incorrect analytic results. Tubes, with draw volume smaller than apparent dimensions indicate, may not fill to their stated volume when filled from a syringe. The laboratory should be consulted regarding the use of these samples.
   • If blood is collected through an intravenous (I.V.) line, ensure that line has been cleared of I.V. solution before beginning to fill blood collection tubes. This is critical to avoid erroneous laboratory data from I.V. fluid contamination.
   • Underfilling of tubes will result in an incorrect blood-to-additive ratio and may lead to incorrect analytic results or poor product performance.
   
7. Centrifugation:
   BD Vacutainer® PLUS Tubes will withstand up to 10,000 RCF in a balanced swing-out rotor type centrifuge. Always use appropriate carriers or inserts. Use of tubes with cracks or chips or excessive centrifugation speed may cause tube breakage, with release of sample, droplets, and an aerosol into the centrifuge bowl. Release of these potentially hazardous materials can be avoided by using specially designed sealed containers in which tubes are held during centrifugation. Centrifuge carriers and inserts should be of the size specific to the tubes used. Use of carriers too large or too small for the tube may result in breakage.
   Ensure that tubes are properly seated in the centrifuge carrier. Incomplete seating could result in separation of the BD Hemogard™ Closure from the tube or extension of the tube above the carrier. Tubes extending above the carrier could catch on the centrifuge head, resulting in breakage. Balance tubes to minimize the chance of breakage. Match tubes with tubes of the same fill level, glass tubes to glass, tubes with BD Hemogard™ Closure to others with the Closure, gel tubes to gel tubes, and BD Vacutainer® PLUS tubes with PLUS tubes.
   Always allow the centrifuge to come to a complete stop before attempting to remove tubes. After the centrifuge head has stopped, open the lid and examine for possible broken tubes. If breakage is indicated, use mechanical device such as forceps or hemostat to remove tubes. Caution: Do not remove broken tubes by hand. See centrifuge instruction manual for disinfection instructions.

STORAGE

Store tubes at 4-25°C (39-77°F) unless otherwise noted on the package label. EDTA has a white color: do not use if color has changed. Do not use tubes after their expiration date.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT NOT PROVIDED FOR SPECIMEN COLLECTION

1. Practice Universal Precautions. Use gloves, eye protection, coats or gowns, and other appropriate apparel for protection from exposure to bloodborne pathogens or other potentially infectious materials.
2. Any BD Vacutainer® Needle Holders of the standard size may be used with 13 mm diameter tubes.
3. Alcohol swab for cleansing site.
4. Dry sterile gauze.
5. Tourniquet.
6. Needle disposal container for used needle or needle/holder combination.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT NOT PROVIDED FOR SPECIMEN PROCESSING

1. Centrifuge capable of generating 1100 xg (RCF) at the tube bottom.
2. Gloves and other personal protective equipment as necessary for protection from exposure to bloodborne pathogens.