ALCOHOL
Test Code: LAB46
Synonym
Blood Alcohol; Ethanol; Alcohol; ETOH; ALC
Specimen Type
Lithium Heparin plasma or serum
Alternate Specimen Type
Microtainers, preferably filled completely. Serum from plain red top or lithium heparin plasma from plain green top. Centrifuge and keep tube upright, do not separate.
Specimen Container
PST or SST, preferably filled completely,
Preferred Volume
0.5 mL plasma or serum
Minimum Collection Volume
0.2 mL plasma or serum
Specimen Handling
Centrifuge promptly. Keep tightly stoppered until analysis. Do not pour off tubes or microtainers.
Patient Prep
Use Betadine rather than alcohol prep to cleanse the skin prior to venipuncture.
Collection Procedure
Due to the volatile nature of alcohol, specimen tubes should be completely filled and remain capped until assay to avoid evaporative loss to the atmosphere.
Limitations
Gross hemolysis, icterus, and lipemia do not show interference with this assay.
Unacceptable Conditions
Sodium heparin, except by special arrangement with Chemistry tech.
Marked hemolysis. Marked lipemia. Marked icterus.
Marked hemolysis. Marked lipemia. Marked icterus.
Temperature
Refrigerated.
Stability
RT: 2 days carefully capped. RFG: 14 days carefully capped. FZN: Indefinately, separated from gel.
Schedule
Daily, all shifts
Place of Service
Mount Carmel Hospital
Department
Chemistry
Additional Information
1) Values LT 3 mg/dL will be reported as such.
2) This level is for medical use, not legal. Special containers for legal blood alcohol levels are available from law enforcement personnel.
3) Per Tietz, the serum concentration ranges 10-35% higher than whole blood.
4) This assay shows a high cross-reactivity with n-propanol but not with other alcohols or glycols.
2) This level is for medical use, not legal. Special containers for legal blood alcohol levels are available from law enforcement personnel.
3) Per Tietz, the serum concentration ranges 10-35% higher than whole blood.
4) This assay shows a high cross-reactivity with n-propanol but not with other alcohols or glycols.
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