The Use of Serum as a Control in Acid-Base Determination

Abstract

Samples of frozen serum of human or bovine origin have been used as an additional standard for blood acid-base analysis. The serum was used to check and compare the performance of two pH electrodes and microequilibration systems. A mean buffer line for the serum was determined at the start of the series. Daily estimations of base excess and standard bicarbonate were made. When any analysis was outside two standard deviations from the mean values, the electrode system was not considered to be functioning correctly. It could be restored to normal function by suitable cleaning. The use of a control serum will demonstrate errors in the electrode system due to protein contamination which are not evident when the system is calibrated on buffer solutions.

Regional Quality Control Survey of Blood-Gas Analysis

“…However, if the serum is stored under sterile conditions at -20°C and then thawed and equilibrated to a known constant PC02, the pH value will remain constant and can be used to monitor alterations in the pH electrode performance (Bird and Henderson, 1971).…”

A Comparison of Two Methods of Quality Control of pH, Pco2, and Po2 Measurements

“…4KOll, cision control for pH measurements and an accuracy 4KOIO, 4KOO9). The same measurements were also and precision controlfor Pcos and Posmeasurements made on a tonometered phosphate-bicarbonate- (Bird and Henderson, 1971;Minty and Nunn, 1977). chloride solution in a glycerol-water mixture (4) A buffer made up in glycerol-water mixtures and (Veefkind et al, 1975).…”

Quality Control in Clinical Chemistry Laboratories

“…However, serum can be used as the next best alternative. Aliquots from a batch of frozen serum need to be equilibrated to a constant PC02 in a tonometer and can then be used to monitor the function of a pH electrode (Bird and Henderson, 1971).…”