Ethanol

Overview

  • EPIC Code:
  • LAB46
  • Soft Test Code:
Alternate Names
  • ALC
  • Alcohol
  • BA
  • Blood Alcohol Level
  • Ethanol
  • ETOH

Specimen Collection & Preparation

Specimen Requirements:

-OR-

1.0 mL Whole Blood in a Green Top Tube - Li Heparin
Minimum Volume:
0.5 mL Whole Blood*

* This volume does not allow for repeat testing

Collection Instructions:

Use Betadine or Zephiran as a skin preparation for drawing specimen

Do not use alcohol or alcohol containing solutions as a skin preparation for drawing specimen

Do not use Chloraprep Swabs for skin preparation

No Chain of Custody


Processing Instructions:

Do not centrifuge or open tube

Specimens stable 24 hours unspun


Rejection Criteria:

Serum Separator Tube (SST) 

Plasma Separator Tube (PST)

Any specimen collection devices with gel


Transport and Storage:
  • Ambient (18-24°C): 2 Days
  • Refrigerated (2-8°C): 14 Days
  • Frozen (-20° C or colder): 4 Weeks

Positive alcohol specimens are stored frozen for a minimum of 30 days at the testing laboratory for availability for confirmatory testing, and 60 days at Parkview Regional Medical Center.

-OR-

BRYAN/MONTPELIER ONLY- 1.0 mL Plasma from a Gray Top Tube- Sodium Fluoride/Potassium Oxalate
Minimum Volume:
0.5 mL Plasma*

* This volume does not allow for repeat testing

Collection Instructions:

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


Transport and Storage:
  • Ambient (18-24°C): ≤ 2 Days
  • Refrigerated (2-8°C): ≤ 2 Weeks
  • Frozen (-20° C or colder): At least 1 Month

Positive samples will be stored frozen for up to 3 months at -20°C.

Clinical Interpretation

Reference Range:

Not Detected


Critical Ranges:

> 0.30 gm %


Test Comments:

Elevated lactic acid concentration and lactate dehydrogenase (LD) activity may falsely elevate enzymatically determined ethanol levels.  Positive results should be interpreted in conjunction with the patient’s clinical condition.

 


Methodology:
  • Enzymatic
Documentation

For Personal or Treatment Center use; Not for Legal Use


Production Schedule

Sites Performed
  • Parkview Bryan Hospital
  • Parkview DeKalb Hospital
  • Parkview Huntington Hospital
  • Parkview Kosciusko Hospital
  • Parkview LaGrange Hospital
  • Parkview Montpelier Hospital
  • Parkview Noble Hospital
  • Parkview Randallia Hospital
  • Parkview Regional Medical Center
  • Parkview Southwest
  • Parkview Wabash Hospital
  • Parkview Whitley Hospital
Days Performed
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Departments
  • Chemistry
Turn Around Time

Same Day/1 to 2 days


Stat Eligible

Coding & Compliance

CDM

01424006


CPT Coding

80320