Similarly, on the basis of European standards, it has got a white cap. Because the PST™ tube contains lithium, it cannot be used to test a patient’s lithium level. Serum Tube (Serum Separating Tube) According to the international standard, the serum tube without the gel separator has got a red cap. This tube is used for therapeutic drug monitoring and general chemistries. To ensure that the blood does not clot, the tube must be inverted eight times following blood collection. In a blood serum separator tube for separating blood into a lighter phase and a heavier phase, the thixotropic gel material initially disposed in the container lower end of the tube is protected from contact with any atmosphere contained in the tube, thus preventing separation of silicone oil from the silica-silicone fluid gel material during. This tube is used to obtain whole blood, plasma. This tube contains lithium heparin to keep the blood from clotting and has a gel plasma separator. Samples processed in these tubes are used for serum determinations in chemistry, blood donor screening and infectious disease testing. Tubes contain spray-coated silica to aid in clotting and a polymer gel for serum separation.
During centrifugation, the gel moves to create a barrier between cells and serum, providing access to the serum for various chemistry, serology and other procedures. Vacutainer SST Tubes (serum separator tube). This tube is only used on patients who are in the hospital. Serum separator collection tubes contain a gel that separates the clot from the serum in whole blood specimens.
SERUM SEPARATOR TUBES ACTIVATOR
The clot activator ensures that clotting occurs within 30 minutes after collection. We compared the results of routine chemistry analytes collected in serum gel separator tubes (SST), plasma gel separator tubes (PST), rapid serum. This mixes the blood with the clot activator that lines the inside of the tube. The tube must be inverted five times following blood collection. These tubes are used to separate the blood cells from the serum. These tubes have a clot activator on the glass and a polymer gel as the separator. Spray coated silica and a special gel to promote serum separation. One tube has a Gold stopper and the other has a Red-Gray Marble stopper. The Plasma Separator Tube, also referred to as PST™, contains lithium heparin and plasma separator gel whereas, the Serum Separator Tube, also referred to as SST™, contains a clot activator and a serum separator gel. What is the Difference Between the Chemicals in the PST™ and SST™ Vacutainer® Blood Collection Tubes? Inside the tube, there is a barrier gel present at the bottom. The PST™ tube offers a whole blood specimen that can be used almost immediately, which is why it is used for STAT orders. SST Tube stands for 'Serum Separator Tube'This is a gel and clot activator tube that is used for clinical biochemistry and immunology. The blood sample in an SST™ tube has to clot before the serum can be used.