Acid – Base

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

BGE

Test Code (Numeric Code)

0340

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Arterial or venous blood in a heparinised blood gas syringe, or a micro-sample: collect one heparinised capillary tube . Mix well. Transport to laboratory without delay.

Transport

Transport to laboratory without delay.

Sample Stability

Samples (in plastic syringes transported at room temperature) are analysed promptly, but should be reported within 30 minutes to minimise the effect of oxygen diffusion. Ice does not improve reliability of results with plastic syringes.

Synonyms

[Blood Gases]

Turnaround Time

60 minutes

Samples (in plastic syringes transported at room temperature) are analysed promptly, but should be reported within 30 minutes to minimise the effect of oxygen diffusion. Ice does not improve reliability of results with plastic syringes.

Specimen Type

  • Whole Blood

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Blood Gas Syringe

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Blood Gas Syringe

Last updated: 09/03/2026