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HelpTest Code ALC Ethanol, Serum/Plasma LAB46
Test Method
Enzymatic Rate; Beckman DXC600
Specimen Requirement
0.5 mL serum or plasma is required.
Additional Specimen Collection Information
Collect blood in a lithium heparin green-top or
red-top tube. Serum and plasma gel tubes are NOT acceptable.
Care
must be taken in the preparation of the arm for venipuncture
when
drawing a specimen for alcohol, since alcohol cannot be used as
the
cleansing agent. Phisohex, Betadine or any suitable
nonalcoholic
cleansing agent is to be used since medical blood alcohols are
admissable in court. The tube must remain unopened prior to
testing.
Reference Values
< 10 mg/dL
Performance
Testing is performed Monday through Sunday.
Routine: Typically completed within 4 hours after the
specimen arrives at the testing site.
Expedite: Typically completed within 1.5 hours after the
specimen arrives at the testing site.
STAT: Typically completed within 30 minutes after the
specimen
arrives at the testing site.
Useful For
Detection of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) in blood to document
prior
consumption or administration of ethanol.
Quantification of the concentration of ethanol in blood
correlates directly with degree of intoxication.
LOINC Code Information
35240-1 Ethanol [Mass Or Moles/Volume] In Serum Or Plasma