Use of evacuated collection tubes for routine determination of arterial blood gases and pH.

There isa well-recognized need fora reliable, convenient, and simple method for determining whole blood pH, PaCO2, and Pa0,. We have designed a specimen collectionset thatfacilitates collection ofthespecimen and permits convenient and reliableanalysis by the laboratory.Specimens are collected in newly designed “Vacutainer” tubes containing heparin and nitrogengas.WithoutremovingtheVacutainerstopper,the specimen may be anaerobically introduced intotheanalytical equipment througha unique aspirating needle. Atmospheric contamination of the specimen is elimi. nated.