What is a potential consequence of using expired collection tubes?

Using expired collection tubes can compromise the integrity of the specimens collected, leading to inadequate results. Expired tubes may have diminished effectiveness in terms of their reagents or may not maintain the necessary sterility that ensures the sample is uncontaminated. For example, if the additive in the tube has degraded, it may not properly preserve the specimen or facilitate the necessary chemical reactions during laboratory testing. As a result, the test results obtained from samples collected in expired tubes could be inaccurate or unreliable, posing a risk to patient care by potentially leading to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment decisions.