How many times should a green topped tube be inverted after collection?

A green topped tube, which typically contains heparin as an anticoagulant, should be inverted 8 to 10 times after blood collection to ensure proper mixing of the blood with the anticoagulant. Inverting the tube allows the heparin to evenly coat the inner surface of the tube, preventing the blood from coagulating and ensuring accurate test results. The exact number of inversions recommended can vary by protocol, but 8 times is often considered standard practice for tubes that contain anticoagulants. This thorough mixing is crucial in laboratory settings to avoid clot formation, which could compromise the integrity of the sample and the reliability of subsequent test results.