Page 176 - pathology_services_handbook_5th_edition_2018

• Please refer to Table 1 : List of Tests Available at Pathology Department for
further information of each test.
HTAA, KUANTAN Please refer Pre Analytical Requirement on page 5-9 for specimen preparation.
3.0 SPECIMEN COLLECTION, STORAGE & TRANSPORTATION

4.0 SPECIAL COLLECTION

4.1 Blood Gas and Lactate Specimen

A) Specimen Collection
1. Rinse a 1 ml disposable syringe with heparin (5,000 units per ml). Expel the
excess heparin; leaving only the dead space of the syringe filled by the heparin.
2. Draw 1 ml of blood.
3. Remove the needle from the syringe using Standard Precaution and dispose the
needle in designated sharps container.
4. Invert the syringe upward and expel air bubbles. A significant dead space in the
syringe may invalidate PO2 results.
5. Cap the syringe tightly using blood gas syringe cap.
6. Mix well to prevent the sample from clotting by rolling between the palms and
inverting it vertically. Clotted blood gas specimen received in the laboratory will
be rejected.
7. Label the specimen with patient’s name, RN/IC, test requested (Blood gas /
Blood gas and lactate), time of sampling and type of specimen (arterial / venous).
8. Complete the request form including the test requested (Blood gas / Blood gas
and lactate), time of sampling and type of specimen (arterial / venous).
B) Specimen Transportation

1. Put the syringe into a biohazard plastic bag and transport in ice slurry immediately
to the laboratory to ensure that analysis can be done within 30 minutes after
drawing of blood.
2. In circumstances whereby the result is needed urgently, the staff sending the
sample must wait for the result which will be ready within 15 to 20 minutes.

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