Is it true you can really 'overmix' bicarb? If so, what effects would this have on the TX? Any info would be appreciated.

Matt

Matt,

Yes, bicarb can be over mixed. If it is mixed too long or too vigorously a lot of the CO2 will degas resulting in a low ph. A low ph can result in acidosis of the patient. Unfortunately the conductivity will not be affected and you will only know it if you check the ph.

Chuck

Chuck analysis is spot on! When I first I experimented with some of first liquid bicarb back in the eighties, we were plagued by lower than expected pH and PCO2 readings. The problem was eventually traced to prolonged and vigorous mixing. We had also noticed large quantities of small gas bubbles in the bicarb product. The gas tended to blow away during transit through the machine and gave samples that read in the low 30's.

I have often wondered what the loss of the CO2 affected and have never had a straight answere until now. Thank You.

Thanks all for the responses. Back when I was the one making it, I was always told that 10 minutes should be sufficient (as long as there was no precipitate that had settled in the bottom and not mixed) and if it met the test parameters (70 mS +/- 2) that it was okay. One of my clinics had a problem with all patient C02 labs coming back low so the doctor ordered the bicarb on the machine to be set to 40. I could see bumping up the bicarb if a few were low but with all low, it is likely something else that needs to be investigated. Now I know where to look. Thanks, again!

[This message has been edited by GTSCSS (edited 09-09-2004).]