The UCLA Medical Center Santa Monica Blood Gas Lab is a service that is provided by Respiratory Therapists. All Respiratory Therapists are certified to perform arterial punctures and line draws. The interpretation of arterial blood gases provides critical information used to treat acid base balance, oxygenation and ventilation.
Analytes include blood gases, co-oximetry, and electrolytes. Co-oximetry results reveal total hemoglobin level, carboxyhemoglobin level (used to evaluate for carbon monoxide poisoning), and blood oxygen saturation level. Blood gas lab electrolyte tests include potassium and ionized calcium which are both important for proper body function.
