Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. I am writing because I had a blood test and the lab tech re-used the Tube Holder on me from the last person, and I am very upset since my state, California, says they are not to re-use these items, and that even after one use they are contaminated. What are my risks, could you please answer?
Lisa Capaldini, M.D.
Internal Medicine
I think that by "tube holder" you are referring to a plastic item called a Vacutainer, which supports/encircles the blood collection tubes during a blood draw. Because the needle/blood enter into the tube and DO NOT come in contact with the tube holder, there is NO issue of contaminating your blood with someone else's; in fact, the Vacutainer tubes can be used for hundreds of different patients because they don't have blood contact. Hope this is helpful.
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