Blood tests and ABGs without the headace

In this episode of The Surgical Checklist, we take a practical look at routine blood results and blood gases, moving beyond the theory to explore what actually happens in theatre and recovery. Through real-world discussion, we unpack when and why tests like ABGs, FBCs, U&Es, and crossmatches are used, what the ODP role looks like in preparing and responding to them, and how to make sense of the numbers without becoming overwhelmed. Expect honest reflections, common pitfalls, and simple ways to prioritise what matters when results start coming through