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.

Analytic Time:

4 hours (upon receipt in laboratory)

Comments:

This procedure individually quantitates methanol, ethanol, isopropanol 
and acetone by gas chromatography.  Prior to testing for alcohols by 
gas chromatography, the sample will have a preliminary ethanol/
volatiles screen (EVS) performed.  An EVS includes plasma ethanol, 
plasma osmolality, and a calculated osmolality using plasma sodium, 
glucose and urea.  See links below for further information concerning 
the osmolality gap.

Note: the osmolality gap, which is the difference between measured 
osmolality and calculated osmolality, must be >14 before gas 
chromatography testing will be initiated.  An osmolality gap of < or 
=14 will be called to the requesting facility/physician by Pathology 
staff to discuss our findings and determine if further testing is 
warranted.  Glycols (ethylene or propylene) testing by gas 
chromatography is also subject to a preliminary EVS screen.

Availability: As needed - subject to the screening procedure described 
above.

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

Sample
Processing:

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

Sample
Storage:

Refrigerate.

Transport
Instructions:

Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Transport in cooler with refrigerated coolant packs.

Instructions:

Separate plasma from cells asap.

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