Accuracy of Potassium Measurement Using Blood Gas Analyzer

Abstract

Introduction: Newer blood gas analyzers can measure both blood gases and electrolytes in both arterial and venous blood samples. They are small, compact, and mobile point of care test (POCT) devices. They can produce results in as short as five minutes. We aimed at assessing the accuracy of potassium (K) level measured by gas analyzer (index test) by comparing that to the regular laboratory machine (reference standard) in our hospital. Our goal is to use POCT result of potassium so we may start insulin infusion within five to 10 minutes of arrival of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) patients to the emergency room (ER). It takes an average of 30 minutes to get the result using the reference standard machine. Potassium level is needed urgently in cases of DKA before initiating insulin infusion. That is true also during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and while replacing K in severe hypokalemia and during the management of hyperkalemia.