The clinical laboratories will provide all supplies necessary for specimen collection, processing and transportation of specimens to the laboratory. Client Services can distribute all supplies. Client Services may be reached at (617) 732-9571.
Blood Collection | Microbiology Collection | Urine Collection
Blood Collection tubes
Serum Separator Tube (SST): This grey and red speckled tube ("tiger top") is used primarily for Chemistry and Viral antibody testing. No anticoagulant is contained in the tube.Red Top Tube (Plain Non-Barrier): This tube is used for certain Blood Bank testing which requires a patient's serum, primarily RPR testing. Chemistries and other drug levels may be drawn in red top tube. The tube contains no anticoagulant.
Lavender Top Tube: This tube is used to for Hematology (CBC, e.g.) and certain Chemistry and Blood Bank testing. The tube contains EDTA as an anticoagulant. Samples collected in lavender tubes may not be used for coagulation tests.
Light Blue Top Tube: This tube is used for coagulation testing. The tube contains buffered sodium citrate as an anticoagulant. It is critical to test accuracy that the tube be filled completely. Inadequate amounts of blood in the tube can yield erroneous test results.
Green Top Tube: This tube contains lithium heparin as an anticoagulant, and is used for certain hematology, chemistry and virology tests.
Light Green Top Tube (PST): This tube is used for serum HCGs and other routine chemistry tests. The tube contains lithium heparin as an anticoagulant.
Brown Top Tube: This tube is used for Cytogenetic testing and other routine chemistry tests. The tube contains sodium heparin as an anticoagulant.
Black Top Tube (Vac-Tec): This tube is used for sed rates (ESR). The tube contains sodium citrate as the anticoagulant.
Grey Top Tube: This tube is primary used for glucose testing. It contains potassium oxalate with sodium fluoride as the anticoagulant.
Yellow Top Tube: This tube is used for certain reference tests requiring whole blood. It contains ACD (acid-citrate-dextrose) as the anticoagulant.
Navy Blue Top Tube (No additive): This tube is used for certain reference tests. It is "metal free" and contains no anticoagulant.
Navy Blue Tube Tube (EDTA): This tube is used for certain reference tests. It contains EDTA as the anticoagulant.
Note: There are two types of Navy Top Tubes. They are not interchangeable. Consult the Test Dictionary for specific requirements of each test.
Microbiology Collection
Gen-Probe Collection Kits: This kit is used for the collection of GC and Chlamydia. Male and female kits are available from the microbiology laboratory (617) 732-7387.Blood Culture Bottles (Organon Teknika Bact/Alert): Anaerobic (orange top) and aerobic (green top) bottles are available. When drawing, it is important to let the vacuum in the bottles fully draw the appropriate amount of blood into the culture media.
Swab/Culture: Sterile dacron swabs with ampule of holding medium. Used for all aerobic cultures.
Anaerobic Transport Media: Used for anaerobic cultures.
Viral Transport Media: This media is used for viral isolations for HSV, CMV, Varicella and Adenovirus.
Sterile Cup: Sterile screw cap cup for microbiology specimens (urine, stool, tissue, etc..)
Todd Hewitt Broth: This media is used for the collection of Group B Streptococci (GBS; GBS screen in pregnant women).
Urine Collection
Random Urine: Random urine should be collected into sterile containers. If a urine culture is ordered, the patient should be given instructions for collecting a "clean catch" urine sample. Urine samples should be transported to the lab as soon as possible. If a delay in transport is anticipated, urine samples should be refrigerated to retard growth of bacteria until the test is performed.24 Hour Urine: Urine should be collected into the brown 24hr urine container with the appropriate preservative (if required).
Patient Instructions for Collecting a 24hr Urine Sample:
- Discard the first morning specimen on the day the collection is to begin.
- From that time forward, collect all urine during the next 24 hours, including the first morning specimen of the next morning.
- Submit the entire urine collection to the Clinical Laboratories.
- For example: On awaking at 8AM, the patient will empty their bladder without collecting the specimen. For the rest of the day all urine specimens will be collected. On arising the next morning at 8AM, the morning urine sample will also be collected to finish the 24 hour period. This procedure insures that the sample truly contains a 24hr collection.