Blood Gases Venous Syringe, Blood - Saskatoon
Discipline
Biochemistry
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
- Whole Blood
Specimen collection container
- Preferred collection container: Blood – syringe (heparinized- calcium and electrolyte balanced)
Collection procedure
Blood shall be collected from a vein
Air bubbles shall be avoided or removed from the syringe sample
To avoid clotting sample contents in the syringe shall be mixed
Transport sample on ice to the laboratory immediately
Required volume
- Optimal volume: 1.0 mL
- Pediatric volume: 0.5 mL
(Submitting the minimum volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory/reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum volume may require a second collection.)
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- 1 hour post collection - Delayed analysis increases the risk that test results no longer represent patient status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 0.5 mL
- Samples that are received greater than 1 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
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Maximum laboratory time
Results reporting
- Within 15 minutes of receipt in laboratory
Specimen retention time
- Specimens are discarded immediately after testing
Other information
Additional information
- Whole blood ionized calcium will be reported on venous samples collected in a syringe (calcium and electrolyte balanced)
Last Updated: January 16, 2026