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Alcohol
MessageCollect specimen without use of alcohol or other volatile disinfectants on patient skin. Use Aqueous zephiran (benzalkonium cloride), iodine, or other suitable aqueous disinfectant.
Test Code
Alias/See Also
CPT Codes
G6040
Preferred Specimen
Other Acceptable Specimens
Citrate (BLU), EDTA (LAV)
Instructions
Specimen Stability
Transport specimen at 2-80 C.
If not analyzed immediately, specimens may be stored refrigerated at 2-80 C for up to 3 days following collection. After 3 days, specimens should be stored frozen (< -20oC). Frozen specimens must be completely thawed and mixed thoroughly prior to analysis. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided.
Methodology
Beckman Coulter AU, EMIT
Setup Schedule
Report Available
Reference Range
Alcohol level interpretive guidance:
1. Legal intoxication is present when blood alcohol exceeds 0.08 mg/dL (sometimes expressed as 0.08 %).
2. Lower detection limit of this assay is 0.01 mg/dL. Levels below that -- including true zero (negative) level -- are expressed as "None detected".
Clinical Significance
Alcohol (ethyl alcohol, ethanol) is the most frequently performed medicolegal test, and is the most common toxic substance encountered. In addition to beverages, products containing alcohol in significant amounts include mouthwashes, colognes, and medicinal preparations. Measurements of alcohol levels are used to determine legal impairment, for forensic purposes, in the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol dependency, and in emergency settings to detect alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol's deleterious effects are well documented. It has been linked with birth defects (fetal alcohol syndrome), cardiac conditions, high blood pressure, liver disease, and mental deterioration. It is by far the leading cause of death from hepatic failure. Additionally, alcohol-induced behavior is a contributing factor in the majority of accidents and murders.
Performing Laboratory
CRMC Laboratory
CCMC Laboratory
