STANDARDS:
* All registered nurses working in the ICU/CCU area may collect arterial samples from arterial lines if familiar with the management of arterial lines.
* Radial puncture should only be attempted by registered nurses familiar with or experienced in technique, or under supervision of same persons.
* Goals to be achieved are to obtain accurate and satisfactory sample without undue stress or discomfort for patient.
* Prevention of contamination into arterial infusion/monitoring set.
* Minimise possible risk of haematoma formation.

OUTCOMES:
* Maintenance of patient safety.
* Prevention of introduced infection in the critically ill patient.

PROCEDURE:
* Wash hands before collecting sample.
* Assemble equipment; blood gas syringe, swabs, 5ml syringe, gauze to evacuate blood line onto.
* Swab area on and around port.
* Remove cap.
* Attach syringe and open line to air.
* Draw off line fluid and initial blood - approximately 5mls.
* Discard 5ml syringe after closing 3 way stop cock _ way to both air and patient.
* Draw off sample.
* Close stop cock to air.
* Remove sample syringe.
* Flush line.
* Close stop cock to patient and flush blood line into gauze.
* Discard.
* Close stop cock to air.
* Replace port cap.




SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS:
* Sample should be taken to gas analysis machine at earliest possible moment, as results may be altered.
* Agitate sample between palms of hands to mix blood and syringe content well before putting sample into machine.
* Samples that are being sent to the lab need to be transported on ice to prevent deterioration.
* Ensure correct labelling information is on blood sampling and form.




Reviewed February 1996