scope:

This standard has been written for the primary purpose of reducing the potential hazards to the patient and medical personnel and to increase the clinical usefulness of the arterial blood specimen. It has been written for use by clinical laboratory directors, respiratory therapists, physicians, physicians in training, nurses, exercise physiologists, perfusionists, and any others who may collect, or be involved with the collection of, arterial blood specimens.

It addresses collection of whole blood specimens from arterial sites with emphasis on reducing the potential hazards to the patient and to medical personnel. The specimen collection procedures are intended to provide appropriate whole blood samples for blood gas, electrolyte, and metabolite determinations.