Dear Colleagues, we have just set up a point of care gas analyser in the
medical admissions unit. They have floated the idea that they may use
capillary samples from the ear lobe to monitor patients acid base status. I
have said that they should always do a baseline arterial gas at least,
before taking capillary samples for monitoring.
My question is:
Are capillary blood gas samples exposed to the same problems as capillary
blood glucose samples during states causing capillary shutdown, eg. DKA,
shock etc.and should I be advising the new unit that in such cases only
arterial samples are reliable.
Has anyone got any experience of this subject area to offer any advice.
many thanks
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