Blood gas
Remove at least 3 ml of blood to waste prior to collecting the blood sample from a line. Transport to the Laboratory within 15 minutes of collection.
1.0 mL arterial blood in an adult blood gas syringe. Micro blood gases (venous - capillary) are not appropriate for pO2 or pCO2 estimation.
0.5 mL blood in a paediatric blood gas syringe. Micro blood gases (venous - capillary) are not appropriate for pO2 or pCO2 estimation.
Ambient temperature, with no air bubbles
Biochemistry and POCT
Mon - Sun, 24hrs
30 minutes
Waikato Hospital Delivery Suite, NICU, Ward E2, ICU, Theatre 2 - ABL800 series; Rural EDs, Waikato Lab, Ward A2, Emergency, HDU, ICU, Ward E5, Theatre 3 - ABL90 Flex
pH ±0.003; pCO2± 0.2@ 8.9 kPa or ±0.1 @ 1.5 kPa; pO2 ± 0.3 kPa
Blood gas recommendations:
Do not do blood gases "to get a quick set of electrolytes".
Blood gas analysis is expensive and takes laboratory staff away from other duties and so affects timeliness of other work.
In most cases (including suspected metabolic conditions like DKA, lactic acidosis or bowel ischaemia) a venous blood gas guides management as well as an arterial blood gas.
Arterial blood gas should only be done in selected patients with severe respiratory illness if the result of the arterial pC02 or A-a gradient will aid decision making, and in intubated patients.
Taking an arterial specimen is much more painful, so don't do an ABG if a VBG will suffice.
Creatinine is available at Thames only
0.3 mL collected into a paediatric blood gas syringe or a full100 µL plastic capillary tube
BG
$BG
