Home
HelpTest Code LAB79 Venous Blood Gas
Clinical System Name
Venous Blood Gas
Synonyms
LAB79
VBG
pH Blood Venous
Sample Requirements
Specimen: Whole Blood
Container(s): Heparinized Syringe
Preferred Vol: 1.0 mL
Minimum Vol: 0.8 mL
Note: Expel air from syringe and cap it immediately after obtaining the sample. Place specimen in outside pocket of a pre-filled biohazard bag of ice, then put into a separate biohazard bag for transport. Deliver to the Lab immediately. Ideally, whole blood specimens should be analyzed within 15 minutes of blood draw.
If collected at Bellevue, South, or North Clinic only - do not place on ice.
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: 0-4 C
Storage location: Core Lab Fridge
Off-site collection: Sample must be collected at Children's. Please contact Laboratory (206) 987-2617 for additional information.
Stability
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Heparinized Syringe | RT |
≤ 15 min ≤ 10 min (Bellevue, South, or North Clinic only) |
| Heparinized Syringe | 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: Chemistry - Core
Phone Number: 206-987-2617 (Client Services)
CPT Codes
82803
Methodology
Method: Potentiometric method by SIEMENS RAPIDPOINT 500 or Siemens Epoc (Bellevue, South, and North Clinic)
Analytical Volume: 0.2 mL Heparinized Syringe
Reference Range
| pH | 7.32 - 7.42 |
| pCO2 | 41 - 51 mm/Hg |
| pO2 | 25 - 40 mm/Hg |
| Bicarbonate | 18 - 27 mEq/L |
All values are for venous samples.
Critical Values
| Age | pH |
| All Ages |
≤ 7.20 ≥ 7.60 |
| Age | pCO2 (mmHg) |
| All Ages |
≤ 20 ≥ 70 |
| Age | Bicarbonate (mmol/L) |
| All Ages |
≤ 10 ≥ 40 |