What is the purpose of using anticoagulants in blood collection tubes?

The primary purpose of using anticoagulants in blood collection tubes is to prevent clotting of the blood sample. When blood is drawn for laboratory analysis, it is crucial that the sample remains in a liquid state. Anticoagulants work by interfering with the blood coagulation process, which prevents the formation of clots. This is essential for obtaining accurate laboratory results, especially in tests that measure the components of plasma or whole blood, such as blood counts, biochemical analyses, and coagulation studies.

Without anticoagulants, blood samples would clot within minutes of being collected. This would not only complicate the processing of the sample but could also lead to erroneous results, as the cellular and plasma components would separate due to clot formation. Therefore, the use of anticoagulants ensures the integrity of the sample during transportation and analysis, allowing for reliable diagnostic information to be drawn from the test.