Specimen

Plasma

Collection Medium:

Alternate
Collection Media:

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection 
containers.

Minimum:

5 mL whole blood in light green top tube or two light green microtubes 
for pediatric patients

Rejection Criteria:

Medico-legal specimens are not accepted.

Testing Schedule:

0700-1530 Monday through Friday.  For additional services, 
contact Clinical Pathology Resident on-call at pager #3404.

Analytic Time:

4 hours (upon receipt in laboratory)

Comments:

May be ordered after ethanol/volatiles screen with an unexplained 
osmolar gap.  This procedure individually quantitates methanol, 
ethanol, isopropanol and acetone.  Ethylene and propylene glycols 
available upon request.  Availability: As needed.  Profile result 
codes:  methanol, ethanol, acetone, isopropanol.

Test
Limitations:

Sample Integrity Confirmation

Icterus: No significant interference from bilirubin up to an I index of 
60.

Lipemia:  No significant interference from lipemia up to an L index of 
500.

References:
(1) Young DS. Effects of Drugs on Clinical Laboratory Tests. 3rd ed.
    Washington, DC: AACC Press; 1990.

(2) Young DS. Effects of Preanalytical Variables on Clinical Laboratory
    Tests. Washington, DC: AACC Press; 1993: 3-120, 3-121.

Methodology:

Gas Chromatography

CPT Code:

84600

See also:
Ethanol/Volatiles Screen (EVS), Plasma
Glycols (Ethylene and Propylene), Plasma

See Additional Information:
Autopsy Service
Chemistry Critical Lab Values
Osmolality Gap - Calculation and Interpretation
Osmolality Gap Calculator