AVL 9180 Operator's Manual

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Handling and Storage of Samples
For ionized calcium values, anaerobic conditions should be followed for all sample types. Contact
with ambient air will cause a loss of CO
2
in the sample and the subsequent rise in pH will cause a
reduction in ionized calcium.
Whole Blood
Whole blood samples should be collected in a heparinized syringe, AVL Microsampler or capillary
and analyzed as soon as possible after collection. The sample container should be filled as much as
possible, leaving minimal residual air space. If brief storage is required, do not cool the sample, as
the erythrocytes could burst and release the intracellular potassium, creating an inaccurate potassium
value in the sample.
Plasma
Plasma samples should be obtained by immediately centrifuging heparinized whole blood, separating
the plasma from red cells and capping the sample tube. Analyze as soon as possible. If storage is
required, the samples should be capped and refrigerated at 4 to 8 °C. Refrigerated samples should be
allowed to warm to room temperature (15 to 30 °C) prior to analysis. If storage exceeds one hour,
the plasma sample must be recentrifuged to remove additional fibrin clots.
Serum
Serum samples should be obtained by collecting blood in an untreated blood collecting tube. The
sample should stand for 30 minutes to allow the clot to form prior to centrifugation. After centrifuga-
tion, remove the serum from the clot, and cap or seal the sample tube. If storage is required, the
sample should be stored, tightly capped, under refrigeration at 4 to 8 °C, and allowed to return to
room temperature, 15 to 30 °C, prior to analysis.
Each laboratory should determine the acceptability of its own blood collection syringes, capillaries
and tubes and the serum or plasma separation products. Variations in these products exist between
manufacturers, and at times, from lot to lot.

AVL 9180 Specifications

General

Brand	AVL
Model	9180
Category	Measuring Instruments
Language	English