Alcohol

Message

Not for legal or forensic testing.

Test Code

ALC

Alias/See Also

ETOH
ETHYL ALCOHOL
ETHANOL

CPT Codes
80320

Preferred Specimen

Serum - Red top NO GEL

Patient Preparation
Do not use alcohol or other volatile disinfectants at the site of venipuncture. Aqueous Zephiran (benzalkonium chloride), aqueous Merthiolate (thimerosal), or povidone-iodine may be used.

Minimum Volume

1.0 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma - Lithium Heparin (PST)

Plasma- EDTA (Lavender)

Serum- SST

or Tiger Top

Instructions

Do not use alcohol or other volatile disinfectants at the site of venipuncture. Aqueous Zephiran (benzalkonium chloride), aqueous Merthiolate (thimerosal), or povidone-iodine may be used.

Specimen Stability

Room Temperature: 2 days 20-25°C
Refrigerated: 2 weeks at 2-8°C
Frozen: 4 weeks at -15 °C Freeze only once.

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

Grossly Hemolyzed, Lipemic, and Icteric are unacceptable

Methodology
Enzymatic

Setup Schedule

Mon-Sun

Report Available

Same day

Limitations

Not for legal or forensic testing.
Do not use alcohol or other volatile disinfectants at the site of venipuncture. Aqueous Zephiran (benzalkonium chloride), aqueous Merthiolate (thimerosal), or povidone-iodine may be used.

Reference Range

< 10 mg/dL
Critical Values
>250 mg/dL for patients less than 21 years of age

Clinical Significance

Ethyl alcohol determinations are among the most frequent analyses required in the forensic and clinical toxicology laboratory. Ethyl alcohol measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol intoxication and poisoning.

Performing Laboratory
Frederick Health Laboratory
400 W 7th Street
Frederick, MD 21701

Last Updated: October 24, 2024

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.