ETHANOL, serum, whole blood, plasma (087-0593)
Synonyms: Ethyl Alcohol, Blood Alcohol, ETOH,
Alcohol
CPT 4 Code: 82055
Test Order Mnemonic: ETHANOL
Lab: Clinical Chemistry
Request Form: Special Chemistry Form 2. Chain of
Custody form required for possible legal samples.
Collection: Routine venipuncture. Cleaning of
puncture site should be performed with a non-alcoholic solution. Arterial, venous, or
capillary whole blood properly collected in a closed system is the preferred specimen.
Storage Instructions: Blood: Grey-topped tube
- The container should have sufficient NaF to make 1% with the submitted blood. Store at
room temperature or refrigerate. Red-topped tube - Centrifuge the specimen to
separate the serum from the red cells and refrigerate. Do not open the tube. Blood stored
without NaF is stable at room temperature (25°C) for 48 hours or refrigerated (5°C) for
about two weeks. Other sample types: refrigerate.
Availability: Samples are received 24 hours per day
at Sample Management, Room 5.136 McCullough. Deposit chain of custody samples in the Night
Deposit Box, Room 5.160, McCullough Building, after 4:00 PM.
Turnaround Time: Routine: 24 hours; STAT: 1 hour;
ER: 45 min
Special Instructions: Chain of Custody samples are
not performed STAT.
Specimen: Blood, spinal fluid, bile, urine, vitreous
humor
Volume: 7 mL whole blood; 10 mL urine; 1 mL spinal
fluid, bile
Minimum Volume: 1 mL plasma or serum
Container: Preferred: gray-topped tube (NaF
and potassium oxalate); Acceptable: red-topped tube
Significant Values: Blood concentrations above 400
mg/dL have been associated with fatalities.
Reviewed/revised April 2007 by P. Harris
