Do EDTA Tubes Cross-Contaminate Gel Separator Tubes?

Clinical Laboratory Science, Summer 2004 by Cooper, Lawrence T, Fritsma, Margaret G, Marques, Marisa B, Miller, Brianna V, Et al

The purpose of this study was to determine if cross-contamination occurs when an EDTA collection tube is drawn immediately before a gel separator tube. This study intends to support or modify the recommended order of draw for EDTA and gel separator tubes during multiple evacuated tube collection. A gel separator tube, an EDTA tube, and a second gel separator tube were drawn in order from 30 healthy participants. To determine the occurrence of cross-contamination, potassium and calcium assays were performed on serum from both gel separator tubes. Preliminary results indicate the differences in paired mean values between the first and second gel separator tubes do not achieve statistical significance. Cross-contamination may not occur when an EDTA tube is collected immediately before a gel separator tube.

Lawrence T Cooper, Margaret G Fritsma MA MT(ASCP) SBB, Marisa B Marques MD, Brianna V Miller, Victor A Skrinska PhD, George A Fritsma MS MT(ASCP), Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham AL.