Pathology | Eastern Health

Test & Collection Guide

Pathology staff view

PLEASE NOTE: Recent changes have been made to this Test

Recent changes for Blood Gases
Date	Field	Changed From	Changed To
16th September 2025	Collection & Request Instructions	2mL Arterial, venous or ECMO blood in heparinised syringe. ECMO is only a valid specimen for ICU patients. Mix thoroughly, label 'urgent' and transport to laboratory immediately at room temperature. Heparinised capillary tubes are also suitable. The tube must be capped at both ends.	2mL Arterial, venous or ECMO blood in heparinised syringe. ECMO is only a valid specimen for ICU patients. Mix thoroughly, label 'urgent' and transport to laboratory immediately at room temperature. Heparinised capillary tubes are also suitable. The tube must be capped at both ends. Syringes with needle still attached will not be accepted. Arterial blood collections must be performed only by trained staff. Only blood gas plus sodium, potassium, chloride, ionised calcium and haemogloin fractions can be performed on this specimen. A separate venepuncture must be obtained for other tests. Lamson pneumatic chute is suitable for transport of blood gas syringes to the lab.
	Processing Instructions	Venous samples should be tested within 45 minutes of collection. Arterial specimens ASAP but no more than 30 minutes post collection Syringes with needle still attached will not be accepted. Arterial blood collections must be performed only by trained staff. Only blood gas plus sodium, potassium, chloride, ionised calcium and haemogloin fractions can be performed on this specimen. A separate venepuncture must be obtained for other tests.	Venous samples should be tested within 45 minutes of collection. Arterial specimens ASAP but no more than 30 minutes post collection Syringes with needle still attached will not be accepted.
12th September 2025	Alternative names		ABG, VBG
	Request Group	ABGI	ABGI, VBG, ECMOG, CBPH
	Collection & Request Instructions	2mL Arterial blood in heparinised syringe. Mix thoroughly, label 'urgent' and transport to laboratory immediately at room temperature	2mL Arterial, venous or ECMO blood in heparinised syringe. ECMO is only a valid specimen for ICU patients. Mix thoroughly, label 'urgent' and transport to laboratory immediately at room temperature. Heparinised capillary tubes are also suitable. The tube must be capped at both ends.

Blood Gases

Ordering information:

Please note that specimens for Arterial Blood Gas analysis CANNOT be collected at any of the Eastern Health Pathology Collection Rooms. The requesting physician will need to organise arterial collection for outpatient requests.

Alternate names:

ABG, VBG

Laboratory:

Biochemistry

Test Code:

ABGI, VBG, ECMOG, CBPH

Specimen types:

Heparinised syringe

Container types:

Heparinised Syringe

Collection Instructions:

2mL Arterial, venous or ECMO blood in heparinised syringe. ECMO is only a valid specimen for ICU patients.

Mix thoroughly, label 'urgent' and transport to laboratory immediately at room temperature.

Heparinised capillary tubes are also suitable. The tube must be capped at both ends.

Syringes with needle still attached will not be accepted.

Arterial blood collections must be performed only by trained staff.

Only blood gas plus sodium, potassium, chloride, ionised calcium and haemogloin fractions can be performed on this specimen. A separate venepuncture must be obtained for other tests.

Lamson pneumatic chute is suitable for transport of blood gas syringes to the lab.

Frequency:

Daily

Result Turnaround Time:

30 minutes

Reference Interval:

Test	Notes	Interval	Units
pH		7.35 - 7.45
pCO₂	Arterial Venous	35 - 45 (6-7 mmHg higher)	mmHg
pO₂	Arterial only	83 - 108	mmHg
Bicarbonate		22 - 28	mmol/L
Base excess		(-3) - 3	mmol/L
sO₂	Arterial only	94 - 98	%
Haemoglobin	Male (≥16 years) Female (≥16 years)	126 - 174 117 - 161	g/L
FO₂Hb	Arterial only	90 - 95	%
Carboxy Hb		<3	%
FMet Hb		<1.5	%
FH Hb		1 - 5	%
Direct Na		136 - 145	mmol/L
Direct K		3.5 - 5.1	mmol/L
Direct Cl		95 - 110	mmol/L
Ionised Ca		1.15 - 1.30	mmol/L
Glucose		3.6 - 5.3	mmol/L
Lactate		<2.20	mmol/L

Capillary

Test	Notes	Interval	Units
pH	0-<2 days 2-<28 days ≥28 days	7.30 - 7.46 7.32 - 7.46 7.34 - 7.43
pCO₂		31 - 42	mmHg
Bicarbonate		20 - 26	mmol/L
Base excess		(-5) - 5	mmol/L
Direct Na		136 - 145	mmol/L
Direct K		3.5 - 5.1	mmol/L
Direct Cl		95 - 110	mmol/L
Ionised Ca		1.15 - 1.30	mmol/L
Glucose		3.6 - 5.3	mmol/L
Lactate		<2.20	mmol/L

Laboratory Use Only

Accessing Results

EMR: Pathology results are available via EMR.

Auscare: If EMR is unavailable, results can be accessed through Auscare. Don’t have an Auscare login? Complete the Auscare User Form.

Forms & Collection Guides

Consent Form – Non-Medicare Tests
For tests not covered by Medicare. Download Form

Pathology Request Form
Printable referral form for submitting pathology requests. Download Form.

Microbiology Swab Collection Guide
Step-by-step instructions for correct swab collection. Download Guide.

Preferred Order of Draw
Instructions to ensure accurate blood collection and results. View Instructions

Feedback

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Test & Collection Guide

PLEASE NOTE: Recent changes have been made to this Test

Recent changes for Blood Gases

Date

Field

Changed From

Changed To

Collection & Request Instructions

Processing Instructions

Alternative names

Request Group