| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Alcohol, Plasma, Serum, or Urine
Test CodeALC
CPT Codes
82055
Preferred Specimen
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
NOTE: Gray top tubes should be used for blood alcohol collection if possible. Green and red top tubes may also be used. Specimens for blood alcohol should be tested as soon as possible and then refrigerated in order to prevent both the metabolic consumption of alcohol and production of alcohol by microorganisms.
Plasma
Draw blood in a gray top (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride) tube (PREFERRED) or a green top (sodium heparin) tube. Spin specimen down and send 1 mL of plasma.
Note: 1. For blood alcohol collections, do not cleanse the sample draw site with alcohol or other volatile disinfectants. Use only non-alcohol aqueous disinfectants, such as iodine based disinfectants.
2. Indicate plasma.
3. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).
Serum
Draw blood in a plain, red-top tube. Spin specimen down and send 1 mL of serum.
Note: 1. Clean venipuncture site with a non-alcohol cleaner.
2. Indicate serum.
3. Label specimen appropriately (serum).
Urine
1 mL from a random urine collection. No preservative. Follow instructions in Urine Collections in Special Instructions.
Note: 1. Indicate urine.
2. Label specimen appropriately (urine).
NOTE: Gray top tubes should be used for blood alcohol collection if possible. Green and red top tubes may also be used. Specimens for blood alcohol should be tested as soon as possible and then refrigerated in order to prevent both the metabolic consumption of alcohol and production of alcohol by microorganisms.
Plasma
Draw blood in a gray top (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride) tube (PREFERRED) or a green top (sodium heparin) tube. Spin specimen down and send 1 mL of plasma.
Note: 1. For blood alcohol collections, do not cleanse the sample draw site with alcohol or other volatile disinfectants. Use only non-alcohol aqueous disinfectants, such as iodine based disinfectants.
2. Indicate plasma.
3. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).
Serum
Draw blood in a plain, red-top tube. Spin specimen down and send 1 mL of serum.
Note: 1. Clean venipuncture site with a non-alcohol cleaner.
2. Indicate serum.
3. Label specimen appropriately (serum).
Urine
1 mL from a random urine collection. No preservative. Follow instructions in Urine Collections in Special Instructions.
Note: 1. Indicate urine.
2. Label specimen appropriately (urine).
Instructions
Transport Temperature
Refrigerate
Methodology
Enzymatic
Setup Schedule
Monday through Sunday
Reference Range
PLASMA OR SERUM
None detected
Critical value: ≥300 mg/dL
URINE
None detected
Performed By
North Mississippi Medical Center Pathology Department
Performing Laboratory
NMMC Pathology Department
