Alcohol, Ethyl, Blood

Overview

  • EPIC Code:
  • LAB2898
  • Soft Test Code:
  • AEBLA
  • Send Out Test Code:
  • 443
Alternate Names
  • Ethanol
Clinical Significance

Ethanol is the most often abused substance whose primary effect on the CNS varies with blood concentration. Not all individuals experience the same effects at a given blood level. Other CNS depressants have an additive effect when taken in combination with ethanol. At high concentrations, ethanol elimination is relatively constant (zero order). Fatal concentration typically exceeds 0.4 g/dL. Blood concentrations of 0.3 g/dL are associated with coma. Ethyl alcohol is present in many medicinal liquids and mouthwashes


Specimen Collection & Preparation

Specimen Requirements

3.0 mL Whole Blood in a Gray Top Tube - Na Fluoride K+ Oxalate (Do not centrifuge or open specimen)


Alternate Specimen

Whole Blood in a Lavender Top Tube - EDTA
Serum from a Red Top Tube
Navy Blue Top Tube - No Additive


TransportAndStorage

14 days Ambient (Transport)
14days Refrigerated
1 year Frozen


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

Keep specimen tightly capped


Minimum Volume

1.0 mL Whole Blood


Neonatal Volumne

Clinical Interpretation

Reference Range:

None detected


Methodology:
  • Gas Chromatography (GC)

Clinical Significance

Ethanol is the most often abused substance whose primary effect on the CNS varies with blood concentration. Not all individuals experience the same effects at a given blood level. Other CNS depressants have an additive effect when taken in combination with ethanol. At high concentrations, ethanol elimination is relatively constant (zero order). Fatal concentration typically exceeds 0.4 g/dL. Blood concentrations of 0.3 g/dL are associated with coma. Ethyl alcohol is present in many medicinal liquids and mouthwashes


Production Schedule

Sites Performed
  • Quest - Chantilly
Days Performed
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Departments
  • Sendouts - Clinical
Turn Around Time

1 to 2 days


Coding & Compliance

CPT Coding

80320