What happens if you do not invert tubes with additives appropriately?

When blood collection tubes contain additives such as anticoagulants or gels, proper inversion is crucial to ensure that the additives mix thoroughly with the blood sample. If tubes with additives are not inverted appropriately, it can lead to improper mixing, meaning the blood may not fully interact with the additives intended to preserve or separate certain components. This can cause inaccurate test results because the additives might not perform their function, such as preventing clot formation or facilitating separation of serum from cellular components.

Proper inversion distributes the additive evenly throughout the blood sample, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of the specimen and ensuring accurate laboratory analyses.