Ethanol
Label Mnemonic: ETOH
Epic code: LAB4919
Downtime form: A-1a Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery
Chemistry
6240 RCP
356-3527
Specimen(s):
Plasma
Collection Medium:
Plasma Separator Tube 4.5 mL
Alternate Collection Media:
Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.
Minimum:
3 mL whole blood from light green top tube or TWO Microtainer® devices
Rejection Criteria:
Medico-legal specimens are not accepted.
Delivery Instructions:
Deliver to laboratory within 1 hour of collection.
Turn Around Time:
1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)
Reference Range:
None detected. Ethanol intoxication begins in the 50-100 mg/dL range. Critical value: >300 mg/dL
Comments:
Includes plasma ethanol by enzymatic analysis. For screening for substances other than ethanol, see "Ethanol/Volatile Screen (EVS)".
Availability: as needed.
Test Limitations:
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.

Hemolysis: >200 mg/dL will be canceled.

Very high concentrations of lactate (> 30 mEq/L) and lactate dehydrogenase (< 8,000 U/L) have potential to produce falsely elevated ethanol results.

References:
Nine JS, Moraca M, Virji MA, Rao KN. Serum-ethanol determination: comparison of lactate and lactate dehydrogenase interference in three enzymatic assays. J Anal Toxicol 19: 192-196, 1995.
Methodology:
Enzymatic (ethanol)
CPT Code:
80320