What tubes are classified as Serum Separator Tubes (SST)?

Serum Separator Tubes (SST) are specifically designed to facilitate the separation of serum from the blood cells upon centrifugation. The correct classification includes tubes that have a gel that separates the serum from clotted blood, which is essential for various laboratory tests.

Red/Gray, Tiger top, and Gold tubes all contain a clot activator and a separating gel. The presence of the gel allows for the effective separation of serum after the sample is centrifuged, making them ideal for tests requiring serum. These tubes are frequently used in clinical laboratories for a wide range of biochemical tests, serology, and immunology.

In contrast, the other options include tubes like Lavender and Light Blue, which are not suitable for serum separation due to their additive contents (such as EDTA for Lavender and sodium citrate for Light Blue) that are meant for plasma testing. Dark Green and Gray tubes also contain anticoagulants and are used for different types of tests. Yellow and Red tubes, while having specific uses, are not all SSTs either, as Yellow typically refers to blood culture tubes or those for specific tests, and Red tubes may not always contain a separator gel. Therefore, the tubes classified as SST are those that ensure the effective separation of serum,