Specimen Collection

Alternatively: A Siemens 1.0 mL (vented/self-fill) and non-vented (aspirator) heparinised blood gas syringes

4.5 mL Adult PST Blood (Preferred)

For Biochemistry, collect samples in:

4.5mL PST tube or 0.5mL Paediatric Micro-PST tube

0.5 mL Paediatric Micro-PST Blood (Preferred)

4 mL Adult EDTA Blood

If FBC required, collect samples in:

4mL EDTA tube or 250uL Micro-EDTA tube

5 mL Adult Heparin Blood

250 uL Paediatric Micro-EDTA Blood
Reference Intervals

Specific validated reference intervals are not available for intraosseous sample but literature suggests that the intraosseous values are usually within +/- 10 to 20% of venous plasma values. Suggest to repeat the tests using a venous sample once access is available to confirm.

Turnaround Time: Within 1 hour
Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

Note: HB and HCT only reported.

Intraosseous access is a quick, fast and an effective way to administer fluid +/- drugs when intravenous access is difficult. Samples can be easy collected from IO access and can be analysed for certain biochemistry (and haematology) tests.

Based on a literature review, these biochemistry tests would be routinely reported on IO samples: sodium, chloride, calcium, creatinine, glucose, total protein, pH, bicarbonate and lactate. Other tests considered unsuitable (e.g. potassium) or have not been validated as yet in the literature.

Specific validated reference intervals are not available for intraosseous sample but literature suggests that the intraosseous values are usually within +/- 10-20% of venous plasma values. However the difference can occasionally be significantly larger. Suggest repeating the tests using a venous sample once access is available to confirm the results.

Contact Information

Emails to chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist.

If the query concerns a specific patient please include the NHI number in your email.

If email is not a suitable option, please contact the on-call chemical pathologist via Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995).

Individual chemical pathologists may be contacted but will not be available at all times.

After-hours : contact Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours.

Dr Samarina Musaad (Clinical Lead) : SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz ext. 22402

Dr Cam Kyle: CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz ext 22052

Dr Weldon Chiu: WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Last updated at 15:13:59 07/02/2023