| Analyzer |
|
| Abbrev |
CO2 |
| Analyte |
Bicarbonate; Carbon Dioxide |
| Department |
Chemistry-General |
| Specimen Type |
Serum |
| Alternate Specimen Type |
N/A |
| Specimen Stability Requirements |
Transport refrigerated within 24 hours after collection (stable 24 hours when stored at 20-25°C) |
| Preferred Specimen |
1 full unopened spun gel barrier serum tube |
| Minimum Volume |
0.5mL, in tightly sealed transport container |
| Collection Instructions |
Protect serum from exposure to air. Avoid hemolysis. Drugs and other substances may affect Bicarbonate determinations. |
| Specimen Instructions |
Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged and aliquoted to a tightly-stoppered plastic transport tube within 2 hours of collection. Avoid hemolysis. Gel tubes should be spun at room temperature at a speed of 1000 to 1300 RCF for 10 minutes in a swinging bucket centrifuge and 15 minutes in a fixed-angle centrifuge. Non-gel serum tubes can be centrifuged at ≤ 1300 RCF for 10 minutes. After centrifugation refrigerates the samples at 2 to 8°C. |
| Reasons for Rejection |
Improper labeling; improper collection and storage; quantity not sufficient for analysis; improper specimen type; expired stability; gross hemolysis. |
| CPT Code |
82374 |
