Method of analyzing the composition of bodily fluids

A body fluid analysis and control system comprising:

• a body fluid analyzer;
• a fluid handling cassette removably engaged with said body fluid analyzer, said fluid handling cassette having a sample chamber accessible to said body fluid analyzer;
• and
• a source of quality control fluid, said source in fluid communication with said sample chamber.

A system for analyzing a body fluid of a patient, said system comprising:

• a fluid passageway having a patient end configured to provide fluid communication with said body fluid in said patient;
• a body fluid analyzer having a source of electromagnetic radiation and a detector, said source and detector defining an optical path therebetween;
• a sample chamber is configured for placement in said optical path, said sample chamber accessible via said fluid passageway, said system having a sample draw mode in which said system is operable to draw a sample of said body fluid into said sample chamber via said fluid passageway;
• and
• a solid reference material sample configured for placement in said optical path.

A body fluid analysis and quality control method for use with a body fluid analyzer which is in fluid communication with a body fluid within a patient, said method comprising:

• transporting a sample of said body fluid into said body fluid analyzer;
• analyzing said sample of said body fluid in said body fluid analyzer while said body fluid analyzer is in fluid communication with said patient;
• transporting a sample of quality control fluid into said body fluid analyzer;
• analyzing said sample of quality control fluid;
• and
• determining whether a result of said analysis of said quality control fluid is acceptable.