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Ethanol, serum or plasma
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Test Update Information | Ethanol assay changed from the Abbott Axsym method to the Beckman DxC method on 09/20/2012 |
| Approval req'd? | No |
| Available Stat? | Yes |
| Test code | ALC |
| Test group | Ethanol |
| Performed by | Parnassus Chemistry |
| In House Availability | Test available 24 hours per day 7 days per week |
| Method | Enzymatic Rate Method (Beckman DxC800) |
| Collection Instructions | Do NOT disinfect the skin with alcohol when collecting the specimen, nor collect the sample above a running iv. See also entries for Drug Screens. |
| Container type | Gold top or Light Green top, (Gray top ok) |
| Amount to Collect | 5 mL blood |
| Sample type | Serum or plasma |
| Preferred volume | Full vacutainer |
| UCSF Rejection Criteria | Partially filled tubes are acceptable only if brought promptly to the laboratory for stat assay. |
| Processing notes | Do not open the tubes until loading the instrument. |
| Units | g/dL |
| Normal range | Negative < 0.005 g/dL |
| Synonyms | Alcohol; Ethyl alcohol; ethylene glycol; etoh |
| Stability | Run immediately after uncapping tube. |
| Turn around times | STAT 1 hour, Routine 4 hours |
| Additional information | To convert g/dL to mmol/L (SI units) multiply by 217. See also entries for Drug Screens. Each 0.10 g/dL of ethanol contributes about 22 mmol/kg to the endogenous osmolality of serum. An osmolar gap (normally < 10) which is greater than explainable by ethanol (or other underlying medical conditions, such as chronic renal failure, diabetic ketoacidosis or underestimation of sodium due to hyperlipidemia) suggests the possibility of ingestion of additional toxins such as methanol or ethylene glycol. Our assay employing separated serum or plasma gives values 10-35% higher than those used forensically on whole blood. A plasma level of 0.09-0.11 g/dL approximates the whole blood level of ≥ 0.08 g/dL which legally defines intoxication. If there is reason to suspect that the ethanol level may have legal implications, the time of collection, the venipuncture site, the presence and site of any intravenous infusions, and the name of the phlebotomist should be recorded in the chart and on the requisition. |
| LOINC code | 5643-2 |
| Last Updated | 9/17/2012 2:21:52 PM |
| Entry Number | 352 |
If you have additional questions regarding this test, please call: 415-353-1667