The Serum Separator Tube (SST) is a crucial component in modern medical and laboratory diagnostics. It is specifically designed to facilitate the collection, separation, and storage of serum from blood samples for clinical chemistry tests. These tubes contain a clot activator and gel separator, ensuring a clear serum sample for accurate testing.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything about SST tubes, including their structure, functionality, applications, and advantages in laboratory testing. Whether you are a medical professional, laboratory technician, or healthcare researcher, this guide will provide essential insights into the role of serum separator tubes in diagnostic testing.
What is a Serum Separator Tube and How Does It Work?
Understanding the Structure of Serum Separator Tubes
A Serum Separator Tube (SST) is a specialized gel blood collection tube designed for serum-based laboratory testing. It consists of:
- A sterile glass or plastic tube
- A clot activator to promote faster clotting of blood
- A gel separator that forms a physical barrier between serum and cellular components after centrifugation
These components ensure quick and efficient serum separation, reducing the risk of contamination and hemolysis.
How Does a Serum Separator Tube Work?
- After blood collection, the SST tube is gently inverted to activate the clotting process.
- The sample is then left undisturbed for 30 minutes, allowing the blood to clot.
- Following clot formation, the tube is centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes, causing the gel separator to move between serum and red blood cells, creating a stable barrier.
This process ensures serum purity, making the SST tube ideal for biochemical and serological tests.
Why Are Serum Separator Tubes Used in Laboratory Testing?
Role of SST Tubes in Blood Testing
Serum Separator Tubes are widely used in laboratory settings due to their efficiency in serum extraction. They enable fast, high-quality sample processing, which is critical for clinical chemistry, endocrinology, and serology tests.
Serum vs. Plasma – What’s the Difference?
A common question is whether to use serum or plasma for laboratory tests. Serum Separator Tubes collect serum, whereas plasma tubes contain anticoagulants, preventing clotting. Serum testing is preferred for:
- Hormone assays (e.g., thyroid function tests, cortisol levels)
- Metabolic panels
- Infectious disease serology
This makes SST tubes essential for accurate diagnostic testing.
How to Use a Serum Separator Tube for Blood Collection?
Step-by-Step Guide to Proper Usage
- Collect blood using a sterile vacutainer.
- Gently invert the tube 5-8 times to mix clot activator.
- Allow the sample to clot at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Centrifuge at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes.
- Ensure the gel barrier has formed correctly.
Following these steps ensures clear and uncontaminated serum samples for laboratory analysis.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-mixing the blood can cause hemolysis.
- Delaying centrifugation may affect serum integrity.
- Improper storage can degrade serum quality.
By following best practices, medical professionals can obtain reliable laboratory results.
Advantages of Serum Separator Tubes in Clinical Applications
Faster and More Reliable Blood Testing
The gel separator in SST tubes helps speed up the testing process, ensuring accurate and quick laboratory results. It eliminates the need for manual serum transfer, reducing sample contamination.
Serum Separator Tubes in Biochemical and Diagnostic Testing
- Used in metabolic screening
- Essential for electrolyte and enzyme analysis
- Commonly used in infectious disease testing
By preventing cellular contamination, SST tubes improve diagnostic accuracy.
Conclusion
The Serum Separator Tube (SST) plays an essential role in clinical diagnostics, ensuring high-quality serum separation for laboratory tests. By understanding how SST tubes work and their advantages, medical professionals can optimize laboratory processes.
FAQs
What is a Serum Separator Tube Used For?
Medical professionals use a Serum Separator Tube (SST) to collect and separate serum from blood for biochemical, immunological, and diagnostic testing.
It ensures accurate laboratory results by preventing cell contamination.
How Does a Serum Separator Tube Work?
The SST tube contains a clot activator and gel separator. After centrifugation, the gel creates a barrier, allowing laboratories to extract pure serum for testing purposes.
What is the Difference Between Serum and Plasma Tubes?
Serum tubes allow natural clotting, while plasma tubes contain anticoagulants. Laboratories prefer serum testing for metabolic and serology tests, whereas they use plasma for coagulation studies.
How to Properly Centrifuge a Serum Separator Tube?
After blood collection, allow it to clot for 30 minutes, then centrifuge at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes to obtain clear serum for analysis.
Are Serum Separator Tubes Used for Hormone Testing?
Yes, medical professionals widely use SST tubes for hormone assays, including thyroid function tests and cortisol levels, due to their high serum purity.