Test Code VPHB Venous pH Panel, Whole blood
Specimen
Whole Blood
Draw blood in a green-top (sodium or lithium heparin) tube. Label the specimen with the patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and time of draw and the phlebotomist’s initials. Specimen must be received in the laboratory within 30 minutes of collection.
Placing the specimen on ice is acceptable but not necessary if delivered in a timely fashion. Specimen must be free of excess air and the tube must be full.
Specimen stability:
30 minutes
Minimum volume:
3.0 mL
Reference Values
pH: 7.32 - 7.42 pH units
Critical values (automatic call-back): <7.20 or >7.60 pH units
pCO2: 42 - 55 mmHg
Critical values (automatic call-back): <20 and >70 mmHg
pO2: 20 - 40 mmHg
Day(s) Test Performed
Monday through Sunday
Performing Laboratory
MaineGeneral Medical Center
CPT Code
82803