HCO3, venous

Alphabetical Test listing

HCO3, venous-1329

Test name:

HCO3, venous

Test number:

1329

Excellian order number:

82374.2

Abbreviation:

CO3

Alternate names:

Bicarbonate
Carbon dioxide

Useful for:

Diagnosis and treatment of acid-base imbalance in respiratory and metabolic systems

Specimen type:

Lithium heparin (Li hep) whole blood

Collection container:

Dk green Lithium heparin (Li hep), no gel

Volume:

Full tube

Collection instructions:

Warning:

Should be drawn at a hospital site.
The tube should be fully filled, unopened, and must arrive at AHL Central lab within 30 minutes of collection.

Immediately following collection, mix sample thoroughly by gentle inverting 8 - 10 times, to prevent clotting

Processing instructions:

Do not open, and do not spin

Transport container:

Dk green Lithium heparin (Li hep), no gel

Alternate specimen type:

Sodium heparin (Na hep) whole blood

Alternate collection container:

Dk green Sodium heparin (Na hep), no gel

A blood gas syringe, without needle, is acceptable

Alternate transport container:

Dk green Sodium heparin (Na hep), no gel

Transport and stability:

Refrigerated - 30 minutes

Time sensitive

Note: specimens collected in Li Heparin Vacutainer tubes cannot be sent via PTS

Reason for rejection:

Improper labels (unlabeled or mislabeled)
Hemolysis (some procedures)
Improper anticoagulant or ratio
Delay in transport
Improper storage temperature affecting results
Improper container
- PST tubes are not acceptable
Leaking container resulting in compromised specimen
Quantity not sufficient (QNS)

Performing lab:

AHL - Chemistry: C

Days set up:

Daily

TAT:

1 day

Method:

Ion Selective Electrodes

Reference ranges:

22 - 30 meq/L

Results that require action (critical):

Low: < 15 mmol/L

High: > 40 mmol/L

CPT codes:

82374

Date created:

08/03/2004

Revised date:

02/12/2020

Review date:

11/09/2021