Test Code VBG Venous Blood Gas
Performing Laboratory
| Memorial Hospital - Automated Procedures Laboratory | 304-388-5953 |
| General Hospital Laboratory | 304-388-6244 |
| Women and Children Hospital Laboratory | 304-388-2385 |
| Women and Children Respiratory Laboratory | 304-388-2355 |
| Teays Valley Hospital Laboratory | 304-757-1770 |
| Plateau Medical Center Laboratory | 304-469-8621 |
Specimen Requirements
Whole Blood-Lithium Heparin Syringe
2 mL of whole blood (1 mL minimum)
Collect anaerobically at room temperature
Specimen Rejection
- Improperly labeled, collected, stored or transported
- Clotted specimen
Storage and Stability
| Room Temperature | Analyze within 30 minutes |
| Ice Slurry | > 30 minutes- 2 hours |
Reference Values
| pH | 7.32-7.45 |
| PCO2 (mmHg) | 38-54 |
| PO2 (mmHg) | 25-40 |
| HCO3 | Undefined |
| Base Excess | Undefined |
| O2 Sat (%) | 60-80 |
| Total CO2 (mmol/L) | 21-32 |
Alert Values
| pH | < 7.20 or > 7.60 |
| pCO2 (mmHg) | < 20 or > 70 |
| PO2 (mmHg) | < 50 |
| Total CO2 (mmol/L) | < 10 or > 45 |
Methodology
Electrode Specific
Days Test Set Up and Turnaround
Monday through Sunday, Continuously
| Stat | Expected within 1 hr |
CPT Coding
82803