The order of draw

Order of Draw
Quick Guide

Accurate specimen collection starts with the right order.

Hello, I’m Christine from DMS Care Training Center.

DMS is a Healthcare Career School located in Carrollton, Texas. We provide hands-on training programs including CNA, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician, Patient Care Technician, and more. At DMS, we focus on practical skills that students can apply in real healthcare settings.

Why Order of Draw Matters

Each blood collection tube contains different additives. If the tubes are drawn in the wrong order, additives from one tube may carry over into the next tube, causing cross-contamination. This can affect lab results and may lead to inaccurate testing.

Key point: Order of draw is not just something to memorize. It is a basic safety step for accurate specimen collection and accurate test results.

Common Tube Additives and Tests

Blood Culture (Yellow)

Additive: SPS (Sodium Polyanethol Sulfonate)

Used to check for microorganisms in the blood.

Light Blue

Additive: Sodium Citrate

Used for coagulation testing, such as PT and aPTT.

Red / Gold (SST)

Additive: No additive, or clot activator + gel

Used to separate serum after clotting for tests such as liver enzymes, electrolytes, and hormone levels.

Green

Additive: Heparin

Prevents clotting and allows quick testing of blood chemistry values such as electrolytes and enzymes.

Lavender / Pink

Additive: EDTA (K2 / K3)

Used for blood cell testing, such as CBC, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Gray

Additive: Sodium Fluoride + Potassium Oxalate

Used for glucose testing and blood alcohol testing.

Basic Order of Draw

A basic order of draw can be summarized as follows:

  1. Blood culture
  2. Light blue / Sodium citrate
  3. Red or Gold / Serum or SST
  4. Green / Heparin
  5. Lavender or Pink / EDTA
  6. Gray / Fluoride oxalate
Important: Order of draw may vary depending on the facility, test type, and tube manufacturer. Always follow your facility’s policies and procedures.

Standards and References

Order of draw is commonly taught and used in clinical settings based on recommendations from CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute). BD Vacutainer materials also remind users to always follow their facility’s protocol for order of draw.

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) is a global medical technology company. BD Vacutainer blood collection systems are widely used in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories.


What Students Learn at DMS

In our Phlebotomy Technician and Medical Assistant programs, students learn not only the order of draw, but also why it matters in real clinical practice.

  • Order of draw and tube additives
  • Specimen handling
  • Infection control
  • Patient safety
  • Accurate labeling and specimen collection

Accurate blood collection is the beginning of accurate diagnosis.

Interested in Becoming a Phlebotomy Technician?

The Phlebotomy Technician CPT program at DMS Care Training Center is a 12-week course designed to help students build real clinical blood collection skills through detailed, hands-on training.

Students practice specimen collection, tube handling, safety procedures, and patient care techniques that are essential in real healthcare settings.

This program also helps prepare students for a national certification.

Learn More About the CPT Program

Healthcare Career Starts Here

DMS teaches the fundamentals students need to collect specimens safely and accurately.

Contact: admin@dmscare.org · 469-237-9852

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