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Test Code LAB78 Capillary Blood Gas

Important Note

Place specimen in outside pocket of a pre-filled biohazard bag of ice, then put into a separate biohazard bag for transport.

Do not place on ice at Bellevue, South, or North Clinic. EPOC capillary tubes are only accepted at Bellevue, South, and North Clinics.

Clinical System Name

Capillary Blood Gas

Synonyms

LAB78

CBG

Sample Requirements

Specimen: Whole Blood

Container(s):  2 Capillary Blood Gas Tubes

Preferred Vol: 2 Full Capillary Blood Gas Tubes. (EPOC capillary tubes are ONLY acceptable at Bellevue, South, or North Clinic - do not put on ice at Bellevue, South, or North Clinic).

Minimum Vol: 1 Capillary Blood Gas Tube

 

Note: Capillary blood gas tubes must be filled completely and mixed thoroughly to dissolve and disperse the heparin. Place specimen in outside pocket of a pre-filled biohazard bag of ice, then put into a separate biohazard bag for transport. Deliver to Lab immediately, avoid air bubbles. Ideally, whole blood specimens should be analyzed within 15 minutes of blood draw.

Processing Instructions

Deliver to Core Lab on ice. Notify technologist - STAT

Reject due to: Inadequately filled specimens, air bubbles, visible clots, age of specimen

Spin: N

Aliquot: N

Temp: On ice

Storage Location: Core Lab Fridge

 

Off-site collection: Samples must be drawn at Children's. Contact Laboratory (206) 987-2617 for additional information.

Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Heparinized Capillary Blood Gas Tube

RT

RT

≤ 15 min

≤ 10 min (Bellevue, South, or North Clinic only)
EPOC Capillary Tube (North Clinic only) RT 3 min
Heparinized Capillary Blood Gas Tube 0-4 C 30 min
  -20 C or -70 C N

Availability

STAT Performed TAT
Y 24/7 15 min

Performing Laboratory

Seattle Children's Laboratory    

Department

Department:  Core Rapidpoint/Chemistry

Phone Number: 206-987-2617 (Client Services)

CPT Codes

82803

Methodology

Method: Potentiometric method using standard ion-selective electrode (ISE) technology, Modified potentiometric method based on the principles of the Severinghaus electrode, Amperometric measurement based on the principles of the Clark electrode on Seimens RAPIDPOINT 500

Analytical Volume:  1 Capillary Blood Gas Tube

Reference Range

Age pH pCO2 mmHg pO2 mmHg HCO3 mEq/L
0-3 days* 7.31 - 7.47 28 - 49 33 - 61  
Arterial Reference Ranges All Ages 7.35 - 7.45     18 - 27
4 days - 1 month   26 - 40    
1 month - adult   35 - 45    
0 - 2 days     60 - 70  
2 days - adult     80 - 100  

** CBG reference ranges in patients greater than 3 days approximate arterial reference values. Neonatal capillary gas ranges from: Cousineau J, Anctil S et al. Neonate capillary blood gas reference values. Clinical Biochemistry 2005;38:905-907.

Critical Values

Age pH
All Ages

≤ 7.20

≥ 7.60

 

Age HCO3 (mEq/L)
All Ages

≤ 10

≥ 40

 

Age pCO2 (mmHg)
All Ages

≤ 20

≥ 70