Table 1 Differences between the blood gas analyzer and auto-analyzer

Analyzes whole blood

Analyzes serum

Arterial sample used conventionally

Venous sample used conventionally

Uses direct ion selective electrode

Uses indirect ion-selective electrode technology

Uses heparin-diluted sample

Serum sample diluted with fixed volume diluent

Processing time is short

Processing time is long

No effect of protein levels in blood

Affected by protein levels in blood