Volume 12, Issue 8: Blood gas sampling – critically useful

Blood gas sampling – critically useful

You’ve had a busy day on your long-awaited observation shift with the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services team (HEMS), and have learnt a lot about a new blood gas sampling device they are using. Another call comes through. On arrival you discover an unresponsive young male, approximately 18 years old, who has collapsed in his home. Will blood gas sampling be useful in this situation?

CPD benefit

Advances in point of care blood analysers and the up-skilling and evolving role of pre-hospital clinicians has resulted in potential for blood gas sampling to be introduced into pre-hospital care. This article provides an introduction to blood gas sampling including discussion of blood gases and how they work and the indications, risks and benefits for use of this clinical tool in the pre-hospital setting. There is also step-by-step guidance on how to perform an arterial blood gas sample and interpret the findings. This will help you use blood gas sampling to better assess and manage patients with actual or potential critical illness.