Alcohols Panel (Methanol, Ethanol, Isopropanol, Acetone)

Label Mnemonic:	ALCH
Epic code:	LAB551
Order form:	Toxic Alcohols (Glycols and Alcohols) Laboratory Requisition
Supply order:	Supply Order Form
Billing:	Billing Policies
CPT code:	80320

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 in light green top tube or TWO Microtainer^® devices

Rejection Criteria:

Medico-legal specimens are not accepted.

Testing Schedule:

This test is not run routinely and requires approval of Clinical Pathology Resident On-Call. Call 1-319-356-1616 and ask the operator to page #3724 (M-F, 08:00-17:00) or #3404 (all other times).

Turn Around Time:

4 hours (upon receipt in laboratory)

Reference Range:

None Detected.

Critical Values:
  Methanol 10 mg/dL or greater
  Isopropanol 10 mg/dL or greater
  Ethanol 300 mg/dL or greater

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, LAB604) and Ethylene Glycol Rapid Assay 
(LAB7453) performed.  An EVS includes plasma ethanol, plasma 
osmolality, and a calculated osmolality using plasma sodium, glucose 
and urea along with a rapid ethylene glycol assay.  See links below 
for further information concerning the osmolality gap.

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

Methodology:

Gas Chromatography

Instructions:

Separate plasma from cells asap.

Sample Processing:

Centrifuge at a speed and time necessary to get barrier separation of plasma/serum and cells.
Separate plasma or serum into labeled container and cap.
Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of collection.

Sample Storage:

Refrigerate.

Transport Instructions:

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

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