I just noticed the lavender tops say invert 8x, while the gold SSTs say 5 — does anyone know where those exact counts came from? Is there real anticoagulant physics behind it, or why do we do it that way?
It drives me nuts that there’s no clear guideline on those inversion counts! I’ve read that the 8 inversions for EDTA help mix the anticoagulant properly without causing hemolysis, but I wish they’d explain it more thoroughly. Anyone have a solid resource on this?
Those 8 inversions for EDTA really do help mix the anticoagulant evenly, which is crucial for accurate results. I’ve seen labs where not following that can lead to clots forming, so the extra inversions are worth it. Ever tried shaking them instead of inverting?
I think it’s interesting how the 8 inversions for EDTA are meant to prevent clots and ensure even distribution of the anticoagulant. I wonder if this has ever been studied in terms of how varying techniques affect results. @taylor92, have you seen any specific studies on this or do you think it’s more about lab protocol consistency?