Blood Gases Capillary, Blood - Saskatoon
Discipline
Biochemistry
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
- Whole blood
Specimen collection container
- Preferred Collection Container: plastic capillary tube (heparinized- calcium and electrolyte balanced)
Collection procedure
- No air bubbles present in capillary tube
- To avoid clotting sample contents in the capillary tube it must be mixed
- Must warm the heel for 3 minutes by using a disposable infant heel warmer
- Do not use tap water, hot water on demand tap, or a cloth heated by a microwave to avoid causing serious burns to the skin
Required volume
- Capillary Volume: 125 μL
Transport and stability
- 1 hour post collection - Delayed analysis increases the risk that test results no longer represent patient status
Rejection criteria
- Samples with a volume less than 125 μL
- Samples that are received greater than one hour post collection
- Specimens received where the proper collection protocols were not followed
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Acceptance and Rejection Criteria
Performance
Methodology
- Amperometric and potentiometric assays
Days/times performed
| Availability |
|
| Testing Site |
|
Maximum laboratory time
- Within 15 minutes of receipt in laboratory
- pO2 and O2 saturation are not available on capillary specimens
Specimen retention time
- Entire sample is used in analysis
Last Updated: October 3, 2024