Specimen:

Plasma

Collection Medium:

Alternate
Collection Media:

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection 
containers.

Minimum:

2 ml whole blood in light green top or two light green microtubes for 
pediatric patients.

Testing
Schedule:

24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Analytic Time:

50 minutes (upon receipt in laboratory)

Reference Range:

Peak 20-35 mcg/ml, trough 5-10 mcg/ml. Peak levels: 45-75 Min after 
I.M.
Dose; 15-30 min. After I.V. Dose.  Trough levels: Not more than 30 min
before next dose.

Critical value: >35 mcg/ml

Comments:

Kanamycin interferes with measurement of amikacin, giving falsely 
elevated results.

Test
Limitations:

Patient samples which contain kanamycin A, kanamycin B, 3', or 4' 
dideoxykanamycin B will yield falsely elevated values for amikacin.  
However, these drugs are not usually coadministered with amikacin.  
High concentration of penicillins or cephalosporins have been shown to 
inactivate aminoglycosides in vitro.  The degree of inactivation is 
dependent on the particular aminoglycoside being measured, the type and 
concentration of the penicillin or cephalosporin that is also present 
and the storage conditions of the sample.  Samples from patients 
receiving additional antibiotics of these types should be assayed 
immediately or stored frozen.

Methodology:

Kinetic Interaction of Microparticles in Solution (KIMS)

Sample
Processing:

Centrifuge at 3000 RPM for 10 minutes.
Aliquot plasma into labeled container and cap.
Specimen must be frozen immediately.
Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of 
collection.

Sample
Storage:

Freeze specimen immediately.

Transport
Instructions:

Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place dry ice on top of specimen in styrofoam container.

CPT Code:

80150

See Additional Information:
Chemistry Critical Lab Values