The 1ML Green EDTA K3 tube is specifically designed for the collection and storage of blood samples intended for laboratory analysis, particularly in the field of hematology. This medical device, made of high quality plastic material, guarantees maximum safety in the handling and storage of samples, reducing the risk of contamination and degradation of the blood during transport and storage. Equipped with a green cap, the tube is easily identifiable among other laboratory devices, ensuring quick and efficient procedures. Each pack contains 50 units, allowing practical and orderly management of supplies in surgeries, private laboratories, clinics and hospitals. The 1ML capacity makes it ideal for routine analysis and hematological screening needs, without wasting material.
EDTA K3 (potassium oxalate) is the anticoagulant used in the test tube to prevent blood clotting, guaranteeing the integrity of the corpuscular elements for accurate hemocytometric analyses, leukocyte, erythrocyte, platelet counts, determination of hemoglobin, hematocrit, ESR and other fundamental parameters. Thanks to the precision of the ready-to-use K3 EDTA dosage, it is possible to obtain reliable results while minimizing chemical interferences or sample alterations. The cap with gasket ensures a tight closure, avoiding accidental leaks and microcontaminations. Simple and intuitive to use, the test tube is suitable for both expert professionals and staff in training.
The special ergonomic design facilitates safe handling and placement in test tube racks and automatic analyzers. The transparency of the test tube body allows for easy visual inspection of the sample, simplifying any inspections before starting the analyses. The number of pieces per package allows for economical management of resources and reduces the frequency of reordering in warehouses.
Therapeutic Indications
The K3 EDTA tube is indicated for the venous sampling of human blood intended for basic and specialist haematological analyses. It is recommended for red blood cell count tests, white blood cell counts, platelets, hemoglobin analysis, hematocrit and for the determination of other parameters such as differential leukocytes or the anisocytosis index. Particularly recommended for hematological monitoring of patients with chronic pathologies, basic screening in occupational medicine, prevention tests and pre-operative checks. The presence of EDTA guarantees the optimal preservation of the cellular components of the blood for several hours, allowing the transport of the sample even remotely for analysis.
The tube can be used in association with automatic or manual collection systems, making it compatible with the majority of sampling and dosing instruments in use in the main laboratories. It is suitable for routine analyses, advanced diagnostics, clinical checks of onco-haematological patients or those with immune system pathologies, and for the identification of haematological changes during pharmacological treatments. Its use is expected in every context where precision, safety and preservation of the characteristics of the biological material collected are essential for diagnosis.
Composition
Materials: Transparent medical grade plastic tube; hermetically sealed cap in colored plastic (green) equipped with an internal seal to avoid leaks; safety seal for handling. The composition ensures resistance to impacts and thermal variations that may occur during transport or storage of the samples.
Active ingredient: EDTA K3 (Ethylenediaminetetraacetate tripotassium salt), present in a specific pre-dosed quantity to guarantee an effective anticoagulant action without altering the morphology of blood cells. This chelating agent prevents clotting by binding to calcium ions present in the blood, keeping the sample stable until analysis.
The tubes do not contain latex, latex free, and are free of toxic compounds that could interfere with laboratory results or cause adverse reactions in patients and operators. All materials comply with international safety and biocompatibility standards, offering a sterilized and ready-to-use product.
Contraindications
Do not use the tube for samples intended for coagulation tests or for analyzes that require preservatives other than K3 EDTA, as the presence of the latter can alter the results of these tests. Use exclusively for the purposes indicated, avoiding improper uses that could compromise the quality of the material collected and consequently the diagnostic accuracy.
Although the tubes are designed to minimize the risk of cross-contamination, they must not be reused: the material is disposable and must be disposed of correctly after each single collection to ensure patient and operator safety. Do not use if the seal is broken, there are cracks or there are obvious manufacturing defects. Avoid use on patients hypersensitive to the chemical agents contained in the product.
Failure to comply with the instructions for use, over- or underfilling compared to the nominal volume (1ML), or improper handling can compromise the stability of the collected sample and the results of laboratory analyses.
Safety of the drug for the species
The 1ML Green EDTA K3 tube is used exclusively for in vitro diagnostic tests, and never comes into direct contact with the patient beyond blood collection. However, the material has been selected to minimize the risk of allergies and adverse reactions in both the patient and the healthcare worker. Medical grade plastic is free of toxic substances, phthalates, PVC, latex, significantly reducing risks compared to traditional products made of glass or with added chemical additives.
The special closing system limits accidental exposure to potentially infectious biological materials, protecting the operator from splashes or direct contact during the use and disposal phases. The precise dosage of EDTA K3, already calibrated in the tube, avoids the risk of haematological interference generated by manual mixing errors. The transparency of the tube allows for rapid identification of any abnormalities in the sample, such as clots or visual contaminants.
Precautions
Always check the integrity of the tube and the presence of the closing cap before use. Use personal protective equipment during each phase of collection and handling of biological material to avoid accidental contamination. In case of accidental contact with blood, wash thoroughly with water and follow current regulations regarding biological safety. Do not expose the tubes to extreme temperatures or direct light, storing the product in a dry and cool environment to maintain the quality of the anticoagulant and the sterility of the container.
The test tubes, being disposable, must be correctly disposed of in the special waste collection after each use. Never open the tube before use, and do not attempt to add anticoagulants or other reagents. If handling the sample for molecular biology or genetic tests, ensure that personnel are adequately trained to reduce the risk of cross-contamination between different samples. Correctly label each tube immediately after collection to avoid identification errors in subsequent processes.
Method of administration
After having collected venous blood using a needle or automatic collection systems, immediately insert the end of the needle into the cap of the test tube, allowing the sample to pass inside until it reaches the filling mark (1ML). Remove the needle and carefully close the cap, then gently shake the tube to encourage correct mixing of the EDTA with the blood, preventing the formation of microclots or cell aggregations.
Do not shake vigorously to avoid breaking the cells and possible volumetric and morphological alterations. Each test tube must be identified with an adhesive label showing the patient's data, the date and time of sampling, to allow accurate and safe traceability of the sample during all phases of the analysis. The test tube must then be sent to the subsequent analysis phases according to the procedures and times established by the reference laboratory protocol. If necessary, the sample can be stored temporarily at controlled temperatures according to specific indications, generally between 2 and 8 °C.
Treatment program
The tube must be used for every single blood sample required by laboratory protocols. The collected sample must be sent for analysis as soon as possible, respecting the maximum stability times of EDTA anticoagulated blood, generally within 8-12 hours of collection for the majority of routine hematological analyses. In the presence of specific tests that require different storage times, scrupulously follow the guidelines applied by the laboratory.
If the tube is used for serial monitoring of a patient (for example in day hospital contexts, clinical follow-ups, weekly checks), it is important to maintain consistency between the volumes collected and the type of tube used to ensure comparability of the data over time. If sending the sample to external laboratories is required, use specific packaging and transport methods suitable to preserve the quality of the sample until the moment of reporting.
Target species
Being a device for medical-diagnostic use, the 1ML Green EDTA K3 tube is intended exclusively for the collection and analysis of human blood. Use on other species is not foreseen and may lead to unreliable or inconsistent results with non-human diagnostic needs. All operations must be entrusted to duly trained and authorized medical, nursing or laboratory technician personnel.
