Comparative evaluation of two different blood collection tubes for hematological and biochemical testing

Blood collection tubes can influence sample stability and analytical accuracy. We compared two different commercially available tube systems, Vacutainer® (BD) and Vacusera® (Disera), assessing stability of hematological and biochemical parameters under various preanalytical conditions.

Residual blood samples from routine laboratory testing were aliquoted into both different tubes. Parameters measured included Red blood cells (RBC), White blood cells (WBC), Hemoglobin (Hb), Potassium (K), Chloride (Cl), Sodium (Na), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), along with hemolysis index. Preanalytical variables included storage temperature (ambient vs 4 °C), storage time (T₀, 1h, 3h, 24h), and transport conditions (local vs remote collection sites, with/without pre-centrifugation).

From January 27 to July 31, 2025, 95 samples were analyzed: 49 from the Castellanza Hospital site, located approximately 50 km from the main laboratory (26 stored at room temperature, 23 at 4 °C), and 46 from the Fantoli MultiLab Laboratory (25 samples at room temperature, 21 at 4 °C), yielding 6621 determinations. Comparative analysis demonstrated no clinically significant differences between the two tube types under all tested conditions. Minor variations in K, Na and LDH (Castellanza Hospital site), Hb and ALT (Fantoli MultiLab Laboratory) were within acceptable analytical variation. Hemolysis index remained comparable between tubes in all scenarios, including transport and delayed processing.

Vacutainer® (BD) and Vacusera® (Disera) tube systems showed analytical equivalence across hematology and biochemistry parameters under multiple preanalytical conditions. We conclude that the tubes are suitable for common clinical hematological use and show acceptable performance for common clinical chemistry parameters.