Ethanol, Serum/Plasma

Test Code

ETHANOL,SERUM/PLASMA

Alias/See Also

Alcohol
ETOH
Chemistry

Preferred Specimen

Plain Red Top Tube

Minimum Volume

2 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Light green top tube - plasma

Instructions

Do not use alcohol based wipes! Use Povidone-Iodine swabsticks or

Chloraprep

Transport Temperature

Refrigerate

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 2 weeks
Refrigerated (4-8°C): 6 months
Frozen (-20°C or colder): 6 months

Methodology
Enzymatic

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

TAT 1-3 days

Reference Range

< 10 mg/dL = Negative

Clinical Significance

Ethanol is the most often abused substance whose primary effect on the CNS varies with blood concentration. Not all individuals experience the same effects at a given blood level. Other CNS depressants have an additive effect when taken in combination with ethanol. At high concentrations, ethanol elimination is relatively constant (zero order). Fatal concentration typically exceeds 0.4 g/dL. Blood concentrations of 0.3 g/dL are associated with coma. Ethyl alcohol is present in many medicinal liquids and mouthwashes.

Performing Laboratory
Test performed in these BACL Chemistry Labs
Contact: Jonathan Dryjowicz-Burek, West Roxbury 857-203-5973
Alternate contact Joseph A. Manzone JP 857-364-5092
Alternate contact Diane Robert BR 774-826-2294

Last Updated: May 17, 2022

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.