Specimen:

Plasma

Collection Medium:

Alternate
Collection Media:

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection 
containers.

Minimum:

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

Testing
Schedule:

0700-1530 Monday through Friday.

Analytic Time:

4 hours (upon receipt in laboratory)

Reference Range:

Ethylene glycol toxicity usually >50mg/dl

Critical Value: >10 mg/dl.

Comments:

This procedure individually quantitates ethylene and propylene glycols 
by gas chromatography.  Prior to testing for glycols 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.  Alcohol testing by gas chromatography is also 
subject to a preliminary EVS screen.

Medico-legal specimens are not accepted.  Availability: As needed - 
subject to the screening procedure described above.

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

Instructions:

Separate plasma from cells asap.

CPT Code:

82693

See also:
Alcohol, Plasma
Ethanol/Volatiles Screen (EVS), Plasma

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