Volatiles Panel

Last Modified: 11/9/2023 3:08:56 PM


Medical Necessity Documentation:  
Client Notes:  
Patient Preparation:  
Specimen Requirements:

3.0 mL Plasma from a Green Top Tube - Na Heparin in a Plastic Vial
Collection Instructions: Use Betadine or Zephiran as a skin preparation for drawing. Do not use alcohol or alcohol containing solutions as a skin preparation for drawing specimen

Centrifuge for 10 minutes at 1100 - 1300 g in a swing bucket unit or 15 minutes in a fixed angle. 
Separate plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection.
Transfer serum or plasma to a tightly-capped tube to minimize alcoholloss.
Send on ice. Do not freeze whole blood.
Minimum Volume: 0.4 mL Plasma
Transport & Storage: Temperature/Stability: Refrigerated
Rejection Criteria: Serum Separator Tube (SST or PST)
Reference Range:

Ethanol: < 10 mg/dL
Isopropanol: < 10 mg/dL
Methanol: < 10 mg/dL
Acetone: < 10 mg/dL
Critical Ranges:  
Test Comments:  
Methodology: Gas Chromatography
Clinical Significance:

A volatile compound is a liquid with a boiling point less than the boiling point of water. The volatile screen panel detects methanol, ethanol, acetone or isopropanol in the patient's serum. This test is ordered when there is a suspicion of exposure to one of these volatile compounds or when the patient has an unexplained anion gap.
Documentation: Use: Detect use, Evaluate toxicity
Custom Panel: No

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

Turn Around Time: Up to 98 hours
Days Performed: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Sites Performed: Indiana University Health
PHL Test Code: VOLS
EPIC Test Code: LAB2862
Send Out Test Code: 6846
Alternate Test Names: Alcohol; Blood Volatiles Panel; ETOH; Isopropyl Alcohol; Methyl Alcohol ; Rubbing alcohol; Wood alcohol
Included Tests: Acetone; Ethanol; Isopropanol; Methanol Quantitative
CPT Coding: 84600

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