Accuracy of an automated blood-gas analyser operated by untrained staff

Performance of the IL 613 automatic blood-gas analyser has been assessed using a group of 100 "analysts" with no previous training or experience in the use of the instrument. Test material consisted of blood equilibrated to a known PO2 and PCO2 in a tonometer: pH estimations were carried out on thawed aliquots of a large batch of frozen serum which were then equilibrated to a known PCO2. Eighty-six per cent of analyses were within acceptable limits of error. The largest proportion of errors was in the measurement of pH. Satisfactory results were obtained in 98% of the analyses of PO2 and PCO2. Eighty-eight per cent of operators were able to use the analyser after instruction lasting less than 1 min. These results were significantly better than those obtained in a regional survey of 16 blood-gas laboratories, staffed by trained technicians.