Pathology Handbook

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Blood Gases

Alternative Names:

Arterial Blood Gas
Venous Blood Gas
Capillary Blood Gas
Arterial Cord Blood Gas
Venous Cord Blood Gas
ABG
VBG

Laboratory:

Clinical Biochemistry

Test Code:

See Registration Instructions

Registration Instructions:

The following test codes apply to blood gas samples:

Test code	Sample type
GAR	Arterial blood gas
GVE	Venous blood gas
GCA	Capillary blood gas
GCB	Arterial cord blood gas
GCV	Venous cord blood gas
GAS	All other sample types not covered by the first 5 above

If blood gas and lactate (and/or ionised calcium) are co-requested, one whole blood sample only is required for all tests.

Specimen Types:

Blood

Container Types:

Arterial Blood Gas Syringe
Venous Blood Gas Syringe
Capillary

Adults Volume or Mass:

1 mL

Minimum/Paediatric Volume or Mass:

0.5 mL

Collection & Request Instructions:

All blood gas samples (except arterial/venous cord samples) must be received by the laboratory within 30 minutes post-collection (at room temperature) or 1 hour if transported on an ice slurry. Arterial/venous cord samples must be received within 60 minutes from collection.

Transport Instructions:

Send to lab immediately

Arterial blood gas samples must be delivered to the laboratory in person. It is acceptable for all other blood gas samples to be transported via the pneumatic tubes system.

Processing Instructions:

Time critical - do not delay handling !