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Lab Dept:
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Chemistry
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Test Name:
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ALCOHOL, ETHYL
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General Information
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Lab Order Codes:
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ALCO
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Synonyms:
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Ethanol, Serum; Ethyl Alcohol; Alcohol; ETOH
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CPT Codes:
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82055 – Alcohol (ethanol); any specimen except breath
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Test Includes:
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Ethyl alcohol level concentration (not for legal purposes) reported in mg/dL.
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Logistics
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Test Indications:
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Not for detecting legal intoxication levels. Ethyl alcohol test results may be used in the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol intoxication and poisoning. Ethyl alcohol is considered the most commonly abused substance. It affects the central nervous system, causing feelings of euphoria, decreased inhibitions, and depression.
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Lab Testing Sections:
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Chemistry
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Phone Numbers:
Minneapolis:
Saint Paul:
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612-813-6280
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651-220-6550
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Test Availability:
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Daily, 24 hours
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Turnaround Time:
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4 hours; Stat 1 hour
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Special Instructions:
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See Collection, See Draw Volume
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Specimen
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Specimen Type:
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Blood
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Container:
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Green top (Li heparin) tube preferred
Alternate tube: Red top
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Draw Volume:
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Dependant on size of collection tube. Fill tube selected to full fill volume.
Note: Minimum collection would be 0.7 mL in a green top Microtainer™. Avoid specimen contact with the air as much as possible.
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Processed Volume:
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0.2 mL (Minimum volume) serum/plasma
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Collection:
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Routine venipuncture. Do not use alcohol or betadine to clean venipuncture site. Povidione Iodine preps should be used for cleaning. The specimen tube should be completely filled. Fill tube completely. Mix tubes containing anticoagulant by gentle inversion. The specimen tube should remain sealed until it is ready to be analyzed. Forward the specimen promptly to the laboratory for best test results.
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Special Processing:
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Lab Staff: Do not centrifuge or remove the specimen stopper until the specimen is ready to be analyzed. The specimen should be stored at refrigerated temperatures until tested. When ready to test, centrifuge the specimen, remove serum/plasma aliquot into a plastic sample cup and analyze immediately in the STAT mode.
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Patient Preparation:
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None
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Sample Rejection:
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Mislabeled or unlabeled specimen, improper collection
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Interpretive
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Reference Range:
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<5 mg/dL
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Critical Values:
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N/A
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Limitations:
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Butanol or n-propanol increase ethyl alcohol results.
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Methodology:
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Alcohol dehydrogenase enzymatic oxidation
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References:
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ALC Flex® reagent cartridge insert sheet Dade Behring Inc. PN 717018.001, Newark, DE, Date of Issue: 2008-08-19 Rev H
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Clinical Significance, Dade Behring Inc., Glasgow Business Community, Mailbox 531, P.O. Box 6101, Newark, Delaware
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Jacobs & DeMott Laboratory Test Handbook (2001) Lexi-Comp, Inc, Hudson, OH, 5th Edition
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Biorad Liquichek Ethanol/Ammonia Control Product Insert (06/05) Bio-Rad Laboratories, Irvine, CA 92618
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