Stability and precision of a new ampuled quality-control system for pH and blood-gas measurements

We describe an evaluation of the in-use stability and short-term precision of a three-level ampuled quality-control system for monitoring pH, pCO2, and pO2 measurements on clinical blood-gas analyzers. In three hospital laboratories, 324 such ampuls were opened and allowed to stand with their contents exposed to atmospheric conditions for accurately timed intervals up to 240 s. Contents were then analyzed for pH, pCO2, and pO2. Student's t-test was used to evaluate the significance of differences observed in recoveries after time exposure. At a signifcance level of P less than or equal to 0.05, the only significant changes observed throughout the first minute of exposure were average pO2 increases of 180 Pa (1.4 mmHg) (+ 1.4%) and 230 Pa (1.7 mmHg) (+ 2.9%) at levels of 13.4 and 7.7 kPa kPa (101 and 58 mmHg), respectively. The ampuled system was found to be stable precise convenient, and suitable for use in the routine laboratory.