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Test Code POCBGAS POC Blood Gas, Arterial (EPOC)

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Whole Blood

Preferred Specimen: Arterial Whole Blood, heparinized syringe is preferred.

Other Acceptable specimens: NA

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

 

5 minutes

 

Refrigerated

Not Acceptable

Frozen

 Not Acceptable

Collection Instructions

Specimen Collection:

  • Collect specimen per standard collection procedure.
  • Specimen must be labeled with a minimum of two patient identifiers.
  • Remove all air from syringe.
  • Sample must be well mixed and free of clots.

 

Note: Prior to testing, invert syringe at least twice and roll between outstretched palms at least 5 times.

 

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

  • Collect whole blood specimen indicating the collection site.
  • Testing should be performed immediately after collection.

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

N/A

Rejection Criteria

  • Insufficient volume.
  • Outside stability limits.
  • Specimen with air bubbles.
  • Unlabeled specimen
  • Specimen exposed to air or kept uncapped
  • Clotted specimen
  • Specimen other than whole blood

Reference Values

EPOC
Analytes Arterial sample Reference Range Units
pH 7.350 – 7.450 NA
pCO2 34.0 – 46.0 mmHg
pO2 80.0 – 100.0 mmHg
cHCO3 22.0 – 29.0 mmol/L
cBE (b) -3.0 to 3.0 mmol/L
cSO2 90.0 – 98.0 %
TCO2 22.0 – 31.0 mmol/L
Sodium 135 – 145 mmol/L
Potassium 3.5 – 5.0 mmol/L
Chloride 98 – 108 mmol/L
Ionized calcium 1.15 – 1.35 mmol/L
Glucose 60 – 139 mg/dL
BUN 7 – 20 mg/dL
Lactate 0.70 – 2.10 mmol/L
Hematocrit 36 – 53 %
cHgb 11.5 – 17.5 g/dL
Anion GAP 7 – 16 mmol/L
GFR estimate  >18 years old > 90 mL/min/1.73sq. m
Creatinine 0.50 – 1.40 mg/dL

 

 

Turnaround Time

 

STAT Turnaround Time: N/A

Routine Turnaround Time: N/A

Testing Schedule: 24/7

Clinical Indications

  • Diagnosis of acid/base disorders
  • Diagnosis and treatment of diseases involving electrolyte imbalance.
  • Diagnosis and treatment of parathyroid disease, a variety of bone diseases, chronic renal disease and tetany.
  • Diagnosis and treatment of electrolyte and metabolic disorders.
  • Diagnosis and treatment of carbohydrate metabolism disorders, including diabetes mellitus and idiopathic hypoglycemia, and of pancreatic islet cell tumors.
  • Diagnosis and treatment of lactic acidosis.
  • Diagnosis and treatment of certain renal and metabolic diseases.
  • Diagnosis and treatment of certain renal diseases and in monitoring renal dialysis.
  • Distinguish normal from abnormal states of blood volume, such as anemia and erythrocytosis.

Methodology

Amperometry: Glucose, Lactate, pO2, Creatinine

Potentiometry: BUN/Urea, pH, pCO2, Sodium, Potassium, Ionized calcium, Chloride

AC Conductometry: Hematocrit

IFCC TCO2 reference method: TCO2

CPT Codes

82435 , 82947 , 82803 , 82330 , 82565 , 83605 , 84132 , 84295 , 85014 

LOINC Codes

2744-1, 19891-1, 2703-7, 19230-2, 19235-1, 2708-6, 2026-3, 32717-1, 327213-0, 41650-3, 34581-9, 41651-1, 12961-9, 

2518-9, 32354-3, 14775-1, 73581-1, 21232-4

Synonyms/Keyword Search

EPOC Arterial Blood Gas

POC EPOC Arterial Whole Blood

Last Review Date

3/12/26

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL

Critical Values

Analyte Low High Unit
pH <7.200 >7.600 NA
pCO2 <20 >70 mmHg
pO2 <40 NA mmHg
Sodium <120 >160 mmol/L
Potassium <2.8 >6.2 mmol/L
Glucose <40 >500 mg/dL
Hematocrit <20 >60 %
cHgb <6.0 >20 g/dL

 

Test Components

pH, pCO2, pO2, cHCO3, cBE (b), cSO2, TCO2, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Ionized calcium, Glucose, BUN, Lactate, Hematocrit, cHgb, Anion GAP, GFR estimate, Creatinine