Many laboratories have centralized critical care services to conserve
resources, but centralization has often been at the expense of providi
ng optimized patient care, We have created a remotely controlled clini
cal laboratory that provides whole blood analysis of blood gases (PCO2
, PO2) pH, electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl-), glucose, and hemoglobin near t
he patient's beside, while maintaining the distinct advantage of centr
al laboratory control. The automated remote laboratory provides extrem
ely rapid turnaround times, eliminates the cost of labor for specimen
processing, reduces the risk from contaminated specimens, reduces staf
f training, and results in improved patient care.