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Test Code LAB4086 ETHANOL (ALCOHOL)

Important Note

Do not use alcohol prep to cleanse skin prior to venipuncture. Use Zephiran, Merthiolate, or providone-iodine.

There is a very small chance (0.2%) that Isopropanol can cross react if alcohol pads were used at the time of collection.  With that being said, there is a disclaimer that will be attached to all Ethanol results that says:

“Isopropanol may cross react on the ethanol assay.  This may cause spurious elevation of the ethanol level.”

Specimen Type

Preferred Specimen: Lithium Heparin Plasma (Mint Green Top, Dark Green Top)

Alternative Specimen: Serum (SST, Gold, Corvac, Tiger, Red Top Tube)

Specimen Volume

1mL

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Turnaround Time

STAT: 1hour
Routine: 4 hours

Sample Stability

Room Temp: Stable for 2 days as long as the samples are tightly closed and the supernatant is removed from the cells
Refrigerated: Stable for 2 weeks as long as the samples are tightly closed and the supernatant is removed from the cells
Frozen: Stable for 4 weeks as long as the samples are tightly closed and the supernatant is removed from the cells

Reference Ranges

<0.01%

CPT Codes

82077