Barbiturates, Quantitative Confirmation, Serum [7377X]

Test Code

4082

CPT Codes
80345

Includes

Amobarbital, Butabarbital, Butalbital, Pentobarbital, Phenobarbital, Secobarbital

Preferred Specimen

2 mL serum collected in a red-top tube (no gel)

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

2 mL plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Transport Container

Transport tube

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 14 days

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

Serum separator tube (SST)

Methodology
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Set up: Tues-Sat; Report available: 3 days

Reference Range

See Laboratory Report

Clinical Significance

This definitive drug assay is used to confirm presumptive positive results and identify the specific barbiturates in serum. Urine and oral fluid are the specimens of choice for routine monitoring of patients taking prescription drugs. Use of serum/plasma should be limited to anuretic patients, or where a patient's clinical appearance does not coincide with their prescribed medications.

Barbiturates are a group of central nervous system (CNS) depressants that are used as sedatives, hypnotics, anesthetics, and anticonvulsants. Because barbiturates have a low therapeutic index and high abuse potential, they have been largely replaced by benzodiazepines for sedative and hypnotic purposes. Measurement of barbiturates in serum is helpful in the diagnosis and management of barbiturate intoxication as well as monitoring therapy [1]. Immunoassays are usually used to screen for barbiturate intoxication; positive screening results can then be confirmed with quantitative chromatography/mass spectrometry testing [1,2].

The results of this test should be interpreted in the context of pertinent clinical history and physical examination findings.

References
1. Porter WH. Clinical toxiology. In: Burtis CA, et al, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 4th ed. Elsevier Inc; 2006:1325-1328.
2.Drug fact sheet: Barbiturates. Untied State Drug Enforcement Administration. Accessed November 5, 2021. https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Barbiturates-2020_0.pdf

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.