Carboxyhemoglobin, Blood

Test Code
309


CPT Codes
82375

Preferred Specimen
One full EDTA (lavender-top) tube of whole blood - keep tube closed


Minimum Volume
0.5 mL


Other Acceptable Specimens
Whole blood collected in: Sodium heparin (green-top) tube or lithium heparin (green-top) tube


Instructions
Keep tube closed


Transport Temperature
Room temperature


Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 5 days
Refrigerated: 10 days
Frozen: Unacceptable


Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Fluoride oxalate (gray-top) tube • Grossly clotted


Methodology
Spectrophotometry (SP)

Setup Schedule
P.M. Sets up 7 days a week.


Clinical Significance
Carbon monoxide is the most common of the gaseous poisons. Malfunctioning or poorly ventilated heating appliances and internal combustion engines are frequent causes of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide combines reversibly with hemoglobin in a manner almost identical to oxygen resulting in a decrease in the amount of oxygen carried by hemoglobin. Accidental poisoning can occur even at low levels (greater than 0.01%) of CO in the atmosphere with prolonged exposure.




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.