Abstract: A reference solution for calibrating and monitoring blood gas instrumentation that has a shelf line of two years or greater is disclosed. The solution is contained in a closed container having a gas or gas mixture that is inert to the reference solution and comprises an aqueous mixture containing a hemoglobin, a source of bicarbonate ions and an organic buffer. The solution optionally contains a methemoglobin reducing system, reference concentrations of selected electrolytes, a polyphosphate compound and antibiotics. The ampule is subsequently opened and the solution is equilibrated with a gas mixture having components which provide gasses in a physiological range to the solution. The solution is characterized by exhibiting properties similar to fresh blood subsequent to equilibration.

Abstract: A liquid control standard for the use in the quality assurance of blood analysis instrumentation systems is disclosed. The liquid control standard is able to act as a control standard for blood gas instrumentation systems measuring pH, pCO.sub.2 and pO.sub.2 of blood, as a liquid control standard for ion selective electrode instrumentation systems for the measuring of electrolytes such as ionized calcium and total calcium as well as Na, K and Li ions in the blood and, optionally, as a control standard for a co-oximeter measuring the amount of total hemoglobin present in the blood and the relative amounts of other hemoglobin fractions present in the blood.

Abstract: A liquid control standard for the use in the qualilty assurance of blood analysis instrumentation systems is disclosed. The liquid control standard is able to act as a control standard for blood gas instrumentation systems measuring pH, pCO.sub.2 and pO.sub.2 of blood, as a liquid control standard for ion selective electrode instrumentation systems for the measuring of electrolytes such as ionized calcium and total calcium as well as Na, K and Li ions in the blood and, optionally, as a control standard for a co-oximeter measuring the amount of total hemoglobin present in the blood and the relative amounts of other hemoglobin fractions present in the blood.

Abstract: This invention discloses a multiple control standard for the use in the quality assurance of blood analysis instrumentation systems. The liquid control standard is able to act as a control standard for blood gas instrumentation systems measuring pH, pCO2 and pO.sub.2 of blood, as a control standard for a co-oximeter measuring the amount of total hemoglobin present in the blood and the relative amounts of other hemoglobin fractions present in the blood, and as a liquid control standard for ion selective electrode instrumentation systems for the measuring of electrolytes such as Na, K, Li and Ca ions in the blood.