Blood gases/electrolytes/metabolites

 

Instruments

Siemens 800 series 

 

Siemens 348

 

Abbott i-STAT meters   

 

 Siemens 348 blood gas analyser

i-STAT 1

 

Location within CDHB

 

Siemens 800 series Biochemistry, CHLabs- 865 (includes CO-Oximetry)
Neonatal ICU- Lab Room, Christchurch Women's Hospital (860)
Laboratory Ashburton Hospital (865)
Siemens 348 Biochemistry, CHLabs (348)
Birthing Suite, CWH (348- used for scalp vein pH and cord blood analyses)
i-STAT Theatre OR9 Christchurch Hospital
i-STAT-1

Neonatal ICU- CWH

Special Care Unit/OR, Burwood Spinal Unit

 

Tests measured

The list of tests available on blood gas analysers is pH, pCO2, pO2, sodium, potassium, chloride, ionised calcium, glucose, lactate, haemoglobin, haematocrit, dys-haemoglobins.

 

The range of tests available depends upon the configuration of each analyser.

i-STAT cartridges come in about 12 different configurations, none of which measures all tests.

 

Sample and volume requirements

All volumes quoted are the actual volumes aspirated into the analysers.

A good quality arterial blood gas sample should have a minimum volume of 500µL.

 

Capillary samples: good collecting technique is essential. 

 

Blood gas capillary tubes generally hold between 90 and 150µL, depending on the brand.   

 

Siemens 800 series Without CO-Ox: 90-125µL. With CO-Ox: 175µL.
Corning 348  Minimum volume is 35µL.
i-STAT cartridges Depending upon test range. Anywhere from 65µL- 150µL. 

 

Consumables

Please refer to the POCT Coordinator for consumable advice.

 

Controls

All Siemens analysers use Siemens Certain GL controls, Levels, 1, 2, and 3

 

i-STAT analysers use i-STAT aqueous controls, levels, 1, 2, and 3. 

 

Refer to the POCT Coordinator for more details.

 

Reference Range

All reference ranges can be found in the CHLabs test database. Click on the left hand menu link to Canterbury Health Laboratories home page, then click on "Tests".

 

Sources of Error

Competencies

Available. Please refer to the POCT Coordinator.