Blood Collection Equipment

There are numerous types of supplies and safety equipment used in the collection of blood and its transportation to the specimen-processing center. It is important to know this equipment well, including how it should be used properly and safely.

Examples of equipment and supplies used in blood collection include vacuum tube systems, specimen-collection trays, tourniquets, needle disposal containers, safety winged infusion sets, vacuum collection tubes, needles, safety-needle collection devices, and many other items.

After completing this resource, learners will be able to:

• Describe the following features for anticoagulants and additives used in blood collection: the various types available, their mechanisms of action on collected blood, examples of tests performed on these tubes of anticoagulants and additives, and the vacuum-collection tube color codes
• Describe the equipment used in specimen collection