What is a Microtainer
Daniel Martin
Updated on April 11, 2026
BD Microtainer® blood collection tubes are designed for ease of use, helping ensure that a quality capillary blood sample is collected. These wider-diameter tubes feature the BD Microgard™ closure, which has an integrated collection scoop and improved mixing ability.
What is Microtainer used for?
BD +icrotainer„ Tubes are used to collect, transport and store skin puncture blood specimens for hematologW tests, or for tests utilizing serum or heparinized plasma.
How do you fill a Microtainer?
Keep the finger in a downward position and gently massage it to maintain blood flow. Hold the Microtainer® at an angle of 30 degrees below the collection site and use the scoop on the Microtainer® to fill it to the 250-500 µL level. Scrub the patient’s middle finger or ring finger with an alcohol swab. Dry with gauze.
How much blood is in a Microtainer?
Red MICROTAINER® (1 mL): This container is used to collect serum, contains gel separator and activator, but no anticoagulant.What is a micro collection tube?
Description. Micro Collection tube is mainly used in collection, storage, pretreatment and transportation of capillary blood specimen. It is suitable for newborn babies, infants,prostrate patients in ICU and other patients in ICU and other patients who are not able to collect venous blood ( like those with bad burn).
What is a EDTA tube?
It’s a tube coated with spray-dried K2EDTA on its inner wall. EDTA acts as an anticoagulant, binding the calcium ions and interrupting the clotting of the blood sample. EDTA is used for most hematology procedures, assessing complete blood count, preparing EDTA plasma, whole blood collection and bone marrow specimens.
What is the recommended order of draw for Microtainer tubes?
The order of draw is based on CLSI Procedures and Devices for the Collection of Capillary Blood Specimens; Approved Standard – Sixth Edition, September 2008. This standard recommends that EDTA tubes be drawn first to ensure good quality specimen, followed by other additive tubes and finally, serum specimen tubes.
How do you collect capillary blood samples?
- The area is cleansed with antiseptic.
- The skin of the finger, heel, or another area is pricked with a sharp needle or a lancet.
- The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container.
How many mL are in a Microtainer?
Microtainer® tubeColorGoldLavenderAdditiveNo additive with gel barrierK2EDTAVolume0.5 mL0.5 mL
Why do you wipe off the first drop of blood in capillary puncture?Wipe away the first drop of blood because it may be contaminated with tissue fluid or debris (sloughing skin). Avoid squeezing the finger or heel too tightly because this dilutes the specimen with tissue fluid (plasma) and increases the probability of haemolysis (60).
Article first time published onWhat does a finger stick test for?
Hemoglobin levels – Fingerstick testing of hemoglobin is a quick screening procedure to ensure a blood or plasma donor has an acceptably high blood count for donating blood or blood components.
Why excessive massaging or squeezing of the finger should be avoided?
Excessive massaging or squeezing of the puncture site should be avoided in order to prevent hemolysis, contamination of the blood with interstitial and intracellular fluid, and obstruction of blood flow.
How many times should you invert a micro collection tube?
When each collection is complete, securely cap and mix additive tubes thoroughly by inversion at least 20 times.
What is the difference between a capillary tube and a micro collection tube?
Microcollection tube: [aka bullets], small tube used to collect dermal puncture samples. Capillary tube: [aka microhematocrit tube], small plastic tubes used primailry for hematocrit tests. … Capillary tubes are also called: By placing your finger tip on the end of the tube (stops moving the blood).
What is skin puncture?
Skin puncture blood is a mixture of undetermined proportions of blood from arterioles, venules, capillaries, and interstitial and intracellular fluids. The arterial portion can be increased by warming the site prior to collection. This increases the blood flow as much as sevenfold.
How do you make k2 EDTA?
The K2EDTA prepared as 1% solution in distilled water, and a final concentration of 0.5 ml of anticoagulant for 5 ml blood can be used. It does not dissolve quickly in blood, so the tubes must be inverted multiple times after blood is added.
What are the four phlebotomy techniques?
Results. Four different ways of taking blood were observed: cannulation and a syringe (38%), cannula with evacuated tube and adaptor (42%), syringe and needle into vein (14%) and evacuated tube system used conventionally (6%).
What is it called when they take blood out?
Phlebotomy is when someone uses a needle to take blood from a vein, usually in your arm. Also called a blood draw or venipuncture, it’s an important tool for diagnosing many medical conditions.
What color is EDTA tube?
Pink-top tube (EDTA) This tube contains EDTA as an anticoagulant. These tubes are preferred for blood bank tests.
What is EDTA in phlebotomy?
EDTA stands for Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. EDTA functions by binding calcium in the blood and keeping the blood from clotting. … The nominal EDTA concentration is 1.8mg EDTA per milliliter of blood.
What is the difference between EDTA and heparin?
EDTA and citrate remove calcium, which most coagulation factors need. Heparin activates antithrombin thereby inhibiting coagulation by inhibiting thrombin. … Heparin is used for clinical chemistry tests such as cholesterol, CRP, hormones etc. It interferes with PCR, so if you want to do that use EDTA.
What does EDTA mean in a blood test?
EDTA, short for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, is a fairly standard part of blood collection. It is used not only as a way to keep blood from clumping together, but also to treat extreme cases of lead poisoning in a process called “chelation therapy.”
How much blood can you draw from a newborn?
According to research on safe blood draws in infants, it is recommended by several studies and guidelines that the maximum amount of blood drawn from infants and children in 24 hours be between 1% and 5% of the total blood volume (TBV) of the child. Ideally, the amount should be less than 3% of the TBV.
How many mL is a lavender top tube?
THROMBOSIS PROFILEORDERING INFORMATION:Geisinger Epic Procedure Code: LAB3154 Geisinger Epic ID: 26811SPECIMEN COLLECTIONSpecimen type:Platelet-free plasma AND serum.Preferred collection container:6 mL red-top (plain, non-serum separator) tube 3 mL lavender-top (K2 EDTA) tube 2.7 mL blue-top (3.2% sodium citrate) tube
What is a lithium heparin tube?
VACUETTE® LH lithium heparin tubes are coated with lithium heparin on the inside. The anticoagulant heparin activates antithrombin, which blocks the clotting cascade and thus produces a whole blood/plasma sample. Selected tubes are also available with a transparent label.
What tests Cannot be performed using capillary blood?
Certain tests cannot be performed on capillary blood due to the large volume they require or the possibility of contamination. These include the following: Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test, due to large blood volume required.
Why thumb is not used for pricking?
The thumb has a pulse and is likely to bleed excessively. The index finger can be calloused or sensitive and the little finger does not have enough tissue to prevent hitting the bone with the lancet.
What is the difference between a capillary and a vein?
Veins have thicker walls than capillaries. Veins use valves to transport blood towards the heart, but capillaries don’t have valves. Capillaries diffuse blood and nutrients between veins and arteries through their thin walls.
Should you squeeze your finger after pricking?
Be sure to prick the side of your finger, not the pad. Pricking the end of your finger can be more painful. Though it may be a tempting way to produce more blood quickly, don’t squeeze your fingertip vigorously. Instead, hang your hand and arm down, allowing blood to pool in your fingertips.
Which finger is best for glucose testing?
Recommended finger: the World Health Organisation recommends the middle or ring fingers are used for blood glucose tests (second and third fingers). You may want to avoid using your little finger due to the skin being thin.
Does squeezing finger affect blood sugar reading?
(In general, guidelines advise against squeezing the finger too hard to get a blood drop because it may distort blood sugar readings.) Overall, the study found, clean hands are still key.