Alcohol

Test Code

ALC

Alias/See Also

ETHANOL

CPT Codes
82055

Preferred Specimen

Serum (gold top) tube

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Lithium Heparin Plasma (green top) tube

Instructions

Do not uncap specimen or transfer sample. Blood in lab cannot be used if specimen has been uncapped due to the risk of evaporation of alcohol from specimen. Do not cleanse the sample draw site with alcohol or other volatile disinfectants. Use only aqueous disinfectants. Monitor and eliminate alcohol from all outside sources, if present.

Transport Container

Serum (gold top) tube or Lithium Heparin Plasma (green top) tube; Do not uncap tube.

Transport Temperature

Room Temperature or Refrigeration

Specimen Stability

Room Temperature - 2 days; Refrigerated - 2 weeks

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Quantity Not Sufficient, IV contamination

Methodology
Colorimetric

Setup Schedule

Daily upon receipt

Report Available

Upon completion of analysis

Limitations

Postmortem or immediately antemortem specimens may produce false positive results because of extremely high levels of lactate dehydrogenase and lactate. Positive results on these specimens should be confirmed by gas chromatography (GC).

Reference Range

Normal Range: < 10 mg/dL

Clinical Significance

Ethanol is the most commonly encountered toxic substance. The measurement of ethanol is used in the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol intoxication and poisoning. Chronic ethanol use has been linked to liver disease, high blood pressure, cardiac disease, and birth defects. Acute ethanol intoxication can result in coma and death.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.