COLLECTION & HANDLING TIPS » Order of Draw

Order of Draw

To avoid cross-contamination, blood must be drawn and collected in tubes in a specific order. This is known as the Order of Draw.

1. Blood Culture Tubes or Vials
2. Coagulation Tubes (Blue-Top Tubes)
3. Serum Tubes without Clot Activator or Gel (Red-Top tubes)
4. Serum Tubes with Clot Activator or Gel (Gold or Tiger Top Tubes)
5. Heparin Tubes (Green-Top Tubes)
6. EDTA Tubes (Lavender-Top Tubes)
7. Oxalate/Fluoride Tubes (Gray-Top Tubes)