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HelpTest Code ALC Alcohol (ETOH)
Additional Codes
Epic: LAB46
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation:
Collection Container/Tube
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Plasma Lithium Heparin
Specimen Volume: 3.0 mL
Collection Instructions:
- Do not use alcohol wipes or other antiseptics containing alcohol compounds to clean the venipuncture site.
- Specimen must be sent in original tube and remain unopened.
- Centrifuge after clot formation and within 4 hours of collection.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.10 mL
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 2 weeks
Refrigerated: 6 months
Frozen: 6 months
Reference Range
None detected (<10 mg/dL)
Rejection Due To
Unlabeled, mislabeled, wrong tube type, QNS, exposure to air.
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
Daily
Report Available
Same day
Method Name
Alcohol dehydrogenase.
CPT Codes
G0479
LOINC
5643-2
Aliases
Alcohol
Ethanol
Ethyl Alcohol
ETOH (Ethanol)
Limitations
Do not use alcohol as a disinfectant when collecting or storing blood specimens.
Centrifuge highly turbid samples prior to analysis.
Increased levels of lactic acid and LDH in perimortem samples may cause elevated ethanol levels.
Ethanol is volatile. Specimens must be tightly capped to avoid evaporation.
Alcohol determination is used for Medical Purposes Only.