Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Chemical Pathology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
SBIC
Test Code (Numeric Code)
0103
Laboratory Handling
Phlebotomy
The tube must be filled with minimum air space above sample (at least 80% full).
Separating
Do not remove top or expose sample to air.
Sample Stability
4 hours at 15-25°C, 7 days at 4-8°C, 6months at -20°C
Synonyms
Serum Bicarbonate
Turnaround Time
3 hours
Specimen Type
- Plasma
- Serum
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)
Acceptable
- Heparin (Microtainer)
- Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
- Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)
- Plain (Red Top)
- SST II (Gold Cap)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
4.5
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Heparin (Microtainer)
Acceptable
- Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
- Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)
- Plain (Red Top)
- SST II (Gold Cap)
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
0.5
Additional Specimen Information
4.5 mL PST Blood (Preferred)
Heparin 5 mL Heparin Blood
Plain 4 mL Plain Serum
SST 3.5 mL SST Blood
Micro-PST 1 mL Paediatric Micro-PST Blood
Last updated: 12/03/2026