Evaluation of ampouled tonometered buffer solutions as a quality-control system for pH, pCO2, and pO2 measurement

In response to the need for an adequate quality-control system for blood-pH and blood-gas analyzers, we investigated the practical application of ampouled phosphate-bicarbonate-chloride solutions tonometered with mixtures of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen. This system offers three discrete sets of pH, pCO2, AND PO2 values, which are consistent with normal and pathophysiologically high and low values. The stated values were based on the U.S. National Bureau of Standards scale for pH and on gas analysis for pCO2 and pO2. Influence of temperature, air contact, calibration gas, and storage was established. Internal and external quality control by means of these ampoules is presented. The system is stable, accurate, precise, and suitable for simultaneous quality control of pH, pCO2, and pO2 measurements.