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HelpTest Code ALCX Ethanol, Chain of Custody, Blood
Additional Tests
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| COCH | Chain of Custody Processing | No | Yes |
Specimen Type
Whole Blood NaFl-KOxSpecimen Required
Supplies: Chain-of-Custody Kit (T282)
Container/Tube: Chain-of-Custody Kit (T282) containing the specimen container seals and documentation required.
Preferred: Gray top (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride)
Acceptable: Lavender (EDTA) or green top (sodium heparin)
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Do not use alcohol to clean arm. Use an alternative, such as Betadine, to cleanse arm before collecting any specimen for volatile testing.
2. Specimen must be sent in original tube. Collect specimen, seal, and submit with the associated documentation to satisfy the legal requirements for chain-of-custody testing.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL or amount to fill 1 tube
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Blood NaFl-KOx | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
| Frozen | 28 days | |
| Ambient | 24 hours |
Reject Due To
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Clinical Information
Ethanol is one of the most widely abused legal substances in the United States. It is the active agent in beer, wine, vodka, whiskey, rum, and other liquors.
Ethanol acts on cerebral functions as a depressant similar to general anesthetics. This depression causes most of the typical symptoms such as impaired thought, clouded judgment, and changed behavior. As the level of alcohol increases, the degree of impairment becomes progressively increased.
In most jurisdictions in the United States, the level of prima facie evidence of being under the influence of alcohol for purposes of driving a motor vehicle is 80 mg/dL (0.08%) in whole blood.
Chain of custody is a record of the disposition of a specimen to document the personnel who collected it, handled it, and performed the analysis. When a specimen is submitted in this manner, analysis will be performed in such a way that it will withstand regular court scrutiny.
Reference Values
Not detected (Positive results are quantified.)
Limit of detection: 10 mg/dL (0.01 g/dL)
Legal limit of intoxication is 80 mg/dL (0.08 g/dL).
Toxic concentration is dependent upon individual usage history.
Potentially lethal concentration: ≥400 mg/dL (0.4 g/dL)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Report Available
1 to 2 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
80320
G0480 (if appropriate)
Method Name
Headspace Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector (HSGC-FID)
Forms
1. Chain of Custody Request is included in the Chain-of-Custody Kit (T282).
2. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.