What is a potential issue with using an expired collection tube?

Using an expired collection tube can indeed lead to inaccurate or unreliable test results, which is a significant concern in phlebotomy. Expired tubes may not have the correct vacuum pressure needed for proper blood collection, leading to insufficient sample volume or poor mixing of the additive with the sample. This can result in erroneous test outcomes, such as false positives or negatives, which can directly impact patient diagnosis and treatment.

Furthermore, the integrity of the additives in the tube can degrade over time, which could further compromise the sample. For example, if a tube is supposed to contain an additive that prevents clotting, an expired tube may not perform this function effectively, leading to clot formation that can interfere with certain tests.

Ensuring the use of non-expired, properly maintained collection tubes is essential for achieving reliable laboratory results, which is fundamental for effective patient care. Other potential issues, such as sterility and hemolysis, while important, are less directly tied to the problem of expiration than the inaccuracy or unreliability of test results.