Carbon Monoxide (Carboxyhemoglobin)

Message

For Specimen Integrity during Extreme Weather see the “Lockbox Usage in Extreme Weather” document at the top of this page.

Specimen must be collected at Miami Valley Hospital PSC or Miami Valley Hospital South PSC due to specimen handling and short specimen stability window.

Test Code

COHGB

Alias/See Also

70278;
Carbon Monoxide;
CO;
CO HB;
CO HGB;

CPT Codes
82375

Preferred Specimen

3 mL whole blood Sodium Heparin (dark green top) tube.

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Instructions

After specimen collected invert tubes 8 - 10 times, then transport tube on wet ice slurry to MVH or MVHSouth laboratory within 1 hour.

Transport Container

Sodium Heparin (dark green top) tube

Transport Temperature

Transport on ice slurry to laboratory within 1 hour.

Specimen Stability

1 hour on ice slurry
Room Temperature = n/a
Refrigerated = n/a
Frozen = n/a

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

Hemolysis, Lipemia, incorrect specimen type, insufficient sample volume, improper storage conditions, exceeds specimen stability guidelines, contaminated sample.

Methodology
ion selective electrode

Setup Schedule

24/7
MVCHEM

Report Available

1 hour from receipt

Reference Range

SEX	AGE	Report Normals	Units
N/M/F	133Y	Smokers: 1.5 - 5.0%
		Non-Smokers: < 1.5%
		Potentially Toxic: > 10%

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.

Performing Laboratory
CompuNet Clinical Laboratories, LLC
2308 Sandridge Drive
Moraine, OH 45439

Last Updated: November 19, 2021

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.