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Test Code LAB5023 Alcohol (Medical)

Performing Laboratory

  • Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center (ARRMC)
  • Asante Three Rivers Medical Center (ATRMC)
  • Asante Ashland Community Hospital (AACH)

 

Performing Department

Chemistry

Specimen Required

Lithium Heparin Green top tube  - Preferred

Yellow (Gold) top tube(SST)

 

Required Volume 0.5 ml

 

Outpatient clients MUST draw SST

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 ml

Specimen Stability Information

DO NOT OPEN TUBES  

Centrifuge and refrigerate within 2 hours of collection
Spun SST is stable for 72 hours if refrigerated at 2° to 8° C

 

Transport to laboratory immediately, Analyze without delay

Well-stoppered SST or PST collected with a non-alcoholic germicidal (mercuric chloride)

Ordered by physician only.  No consent form needed.

Reject Due To

Quantity not sufficient (QNS)

Lack of Two Patient Identifiers:

         1-Patient's First & Last name 

         2-Patient's Date of Birth

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Routine – same day

ASAP – 2 hours after receipt of specimen in lab

STAT – 1 hour after receipt of specimen in lab

Method Name

Alcohol Dehydrogenase

CPT Code Information

80320 DRUG SCREEN QUANTITATIVE ALCOHOLS

ALT Code G0480

 

Billing Code

3002128

Profile Information

Measurement of ethanol is probably the most frequent test in many medicolegal cases due to impairment of driving ability, as well as being included in the differential diagnosis of hospital patients admitted with coma of unknown origin.  Ethanol, a depressant, requires no digestion.  Diffusion is rapid, with 80%/90% being absorbed in 30 minutes.  After entering the blood, alcohol concentration decreases at a rate of 20 mg/dL/hour.

 

Note:

1. This method is not absolutely specific for ethanol and may be influenced, to a small degree, by methanol,
     isopropyl alcohol, glycerol and ethylene glycol.
2. To convert mg/dL ethanol to gm %, move the decimal point 3 places to the left, e.g., 80 mg/dL = 0.08 gm %.

Secondary ID

Ethanol (ETOH)