Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog
BLOOD GAS, CAPILLARY
Geisinger Epic Procedure Code: LAB3464 Geisinger Epic ID: 45108Whole blood
1 mL whole blood; minimum 0.4 mL.
Expel excess air from syringe. Mix well immediately after collection. Due to sample instability, this test may only be collected and analyzed at a performing laboratory site (see below).
Room temperature (preferred). Transport immediately. If a delay in transport is anticipated, place specimen on an ice slurry.
Stable 30 minutes at room temperature, 1 hour on ice slurry.
Stability limits exceeded (greater than 30 minutes at room temperature, greater than 1 hour from time of collection when on ice slurry), specimens containing large clots or air bubbles.
| pH | 7.35-7.45 |
| pCO2 (mmHg) | 35-45 |
| pO2 (mmHg) | 75-100 |
| Bicarbonate (mmol/L) | 23-31 |
| Base excess (mmol/L) | (-2) - (+2) |
| Hemoglobin | See individual listing |
| Oxyhemoglobin | 94-99% total Hgb |
| Carboxyhemoglobin | 0-1.5% total Hgb (smokers 0-9%) |
| Methemoglobin | 0-1.5% total Hgb |
| Reduced Hgb | 0-5% total Hgb |
| 02 content | 15-24% vol |
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.
pH, pCO2, pO2, Bicarbonate, Base excess, Hemoglobin, Oxyhemoglobin, Carboxyhemoglobin, Methemoglobin, Reduced Hgb, O2 content.
Optical
Potentiometric
Capillary gas, capillary blood gas, BGPC, BGPC
Blood gas analysis is used to assess acid/base balance and state of oxygen perfusion.
Sheng-Ying (Margaret) Lo, PhD, DABCC
Benjamin Andress, PhD, DABCC