CDOS

ALCOHOL

Test Code: LAB46

Test Link (Copy)

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.

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.

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