Vancomycin, Random

Test Code

VANR

Alias/See Also

VANC, VANCO

Preferred Specimen

1.0 mL plasma (0.5 mL minimum)

Transport Container

PST (light green top). Red top and SST also acceptable

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 8 hours, Refrigerated: 2 days, Frozen: 1 month

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

Grossly hemolyzed specimens are unacceptable.

Reference Range

No established range

Clinical Significance

Vancomycin is an antibiotic effective against most gram positive bacteria. It is especially important in the treatment of infections due to methicillin and cephalosporin resistant organisms. Current usage is generally limited to those infections in which other antibiotics are ineffective or contraindicated. Vancomycin has several deleterious effects on bacterial metabolism. Vancomycin is eliminated from the body be excretion by the kidneys. Plasma half-life varies with the patient’s age and kidney function and can be approximated from the creatinine clearance rate. Lasting effects involve auditory nerve and kidney function. Ototoxicity (hearing loss) tends to be permanent and dose-dependent. Ototoxicity is of particular concern in patients who are also given aminoglycosides. Nephrotoxicity due to vancomycin alone is uncommon and usually reversible.

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.