What should be avoided when collecting a sample for a COAG panel?

When collecting a sample for a coagulation (COAG) panel, it is crucial to avoid using alcohol to clean the site before drawing the blood, as alcohol can lyse red blood cells. Lysing these cells can interfere with the accuracy of coagulation test results by causing hemolysis, which releases intracellular components that may affect the tests. It is important to use sterile techniques that do not compromise the integrity of the sample.

Choosing an appropriate collection tube is also vital for obtaining reliable coagulation results. While a blue top tube containing sodium citrate is standard for coagulation testing, using a red top tube (which does not contain any anticoagulant) or a green top tube (which contains heparin) would not be suitable for this purpose. Only the blue top tube is designed to prevent clotting, making it the correct choice. However, the key point in this scenario is understanding the impact that alcohol has on the sample, leading to potential inaccuracies in the COAG panel results.