Medica EasyStat, Operator'S Manual

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5. Sample Handling and Collection
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Biohazard: Human body fluid specimens may be con-
taminated with HIV or other pathogens. Treat all speci-
mens, collection devices and tools as biohazardous.
For complete sample handling and collection information, refer to a
textbook of standard clinical chemistry procedures.
The patient’s status is extremely important when preparing to draw
an arterial blood specimen. Patients receiving certain drugs, such as
anticoagulants and thrombolytics, are at a greater risk for hematoma
or external bleeding. The correct puncture location and sample timing
is important in preventing bleeding.
Blood gas samples must be collected into syringes/ capillary tubes
containing heparin, including samples from patients receiving heparin
treatments. A final heparin concentration of 15-50 IU/mL is recom-
mended. Calcium balanced heparin is recommended. Ammonium
heparin will shift the pH of the patient sample analyzed. Using sodium
heparin will increase the sodium level of the patient sample.
Syringe Sample
1 Draw blood into a syringe which is pretreated with liquid heparin
or use a prepackaged syringe treated with dry lyophilized heparin.
The syringe must be completely filled to assure the proper antico-
agulation concentration. When preparing an untreated syringe,
only 0.05 mL of liquid heparin (1000 IU/mL) is necessary to anti-
coagulate 1 mL of blood. Too much heparin can alter the blood gas
values obtained. Make sure that no air bubbles are present before
sealing the syringe with an airtight cap. Note the time of
collection.
2 Mix the specimen with anticoagulant by gently inverting the
syringe several times. DO NOT SHAKE.
Failure to use the proper sampling materials and methods will result in
microclots which will degrade the system and result in reliability issues
such as PCO2 and PO2 electrode failures.
3 Analyze specimen within 5 minutes of collection, or immerse the syringe
barrel in an ice water bath. The ice water bath maintains an accurate
sample for up to 2 hours at a temperature between 1 and 5°C.
Note: Use only the Medica Capillary Kit. Use of other capillary tubes
may cause erroneous results, or damage to the analyzer and elec-
trodes.
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