APPROVED IFCC RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHOLE-BLOOD SAMPLING, TRANSPORT AND STORAGE FOR SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF PH, BLOOD-GASES AND ELECTROLYTES

Pre-analytical variables, e. g., specimen collection, transport, and s torage, can contribute significantly to inaccurate pH, blood gas, and electrolyte values, The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC), through its Committee on pH, Blood Gases and Electrolytes, ha s developed specific recommendations to minimize the undesirable effec ts of pre-analytical variables. The Committee has drawn upon the exper iences of its own members as well as published data by others. Specifi cally, the Committee has included pertinent guidelines and suggestions by the IFCC Working Group on Selective Electrodes (WGSE), the Nationa l Committee on Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS), and the Electrol yte/Blood Gas Division of the American Association for Clinical Chemis try (AACC). This paper will familiarize the reader with the effect of different types of specimen containers and anticoagulants. It discusse s important aspects of specimen collection procedures including patien ts status and special precautions during specimen collection from indw elling catheters or cannulae. The paper also identifies different requ irements in storage and transport of specimens for blood gas and elect rolyte analysis.