Arterial blood gas collection system

An arterial blood module, comprising:

• a housing having a first end and a second end;
• a needle extending from the first end;
• a cap removably securable over the needle;
• a mixing chamber adjacent the second end, wherein the housing defines a vent chamber in communication with a fluid flow path defined between the needle and mixing chamber, wherein the vent chamber is configured to expel air bubbles from the fluid flow path outside of the arterial blood module;
• and
• a safety shield engaged with a portion of the housing and transitionable from a first shield position in which the safety shield is contained within the housing and a portion of the needle is exposed to a second shield position in which the needle is shielded by a portion of the safety shield.

An arterial blood collection system, comprising:

• an arterial blood collection element defining a collection chamber;
• and
• an arterial blood module removably connectable to a portion of the arterial blood collection element, the arterial blood module comprising:
• a housing having a first end and a second end;
• a needle extending from the first end, wherein the housing defines a fluid flow path between the needle and the arterial blood collection element;
• a cap removably securable over the needle;
• a vent chamber in communication with the fluid flow path, wherein the vent chamber is configured to expel air bubbles from the fluid flow path outside of the arterial blood module;
• a mixing chamber adjacent the second end;
• and
• a safety shield engaged with a portion of the housing and transitionable from a first shield position in which the safety shield is contained within the housing and a portion of the needle is exposed to a second shield position in which the needle is shielded by a portion of the safety shield.