ALCOHOL(BLOOD)

Message

CHEMISTRY

Test Code

ETOH

Alias/See Also

ETOH, ETHYL ALCOHOL, BAC

Preferred Specimen

PLASMA

Minimum Volume

1-2 MLS

Instructions

***DO NOT USE ALCOHOL SWAB FOR DISINFECTION OF ARM. IT CAN LEAD TO FALSELY ELEVATED ALCOHOL LEVELS IN THE BLOOD. PLEASE DRAW SEPARATE TUBE FOR ALCOHOLS AND CHEMISTRY TESTS.
DRAW 1 LT GREEN LITHIUM HEPARIN TUBE, MIX WELL AND SPIN, SEND TO LAB REFRIGERATED.

Transport Container

PLASTIC TUBE

Transport Temperature

REFRIGERATED

Specimen Stability

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

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

Unlabeled sample, improper temperature during transport. Wrong sample collection. Sample unspun before transport.

Methodology
Enzymatic

Setup Schedule

DAILY

Report Available

DAILY

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
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION VT VA-CHEMISTRY 802-295-9363 EXT: 5518, 5519

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.