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HelpTest ID ALCX Ethanol, Chain of Custody, Blood
Useful For
Detection of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) in blood to document prior consumption or administration of ethanol
Quantification of the concentration of ethanol in blood correlates directly with degree of intoxication
Chain-of-custody is required whenever the results of testing could be used in a court of law. Its purpose is to protect the rights of the individual contributing the specimen by demonstrating that it was under the control of personnel involved with testing the specimen at all times; this control implies that the opportunity for specimen tampering would be limited.
Additional Tests
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| COCH | Chain of Custody Processing | No | Yes |
Method Name
Headspace Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (HSGC-FID)
Reporting Name
Ethanol, CoC, BSpecimen Type
Whole Blood NaFl-KOxContainer/Tube: Chain-of-Custody Kit (T282) containing the specimen container seals and documentation required.
Preferred: Grey top (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride)
Acceptable: Any anticoagulant
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Do not use alcohol to clean arm. Use 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.
Additional Information: If urine creatinine is required or adulteration of the sample is suspected, the following test should be requested, ADLTX / Adulterants Survey, Chain of Custody, Urine. For additional information, please refer to ADLTX / Adulterants Survey, Chain of Custody, Urine.
Forms: Chain-of-Custody Request Form is included in the Chain-of-Custody Kit (T282). A copy of this form is also available at http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/it-mmfiles/chain-of-custody-request-form.pdf.
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) | 72 hours |
| Frozen | 14 days | |
| Ambient | 24 hours |
Clinical Information
Ethanol is the single most important substance of abuse 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.
Chain-of-custody is a record of the disposition of a specimen to document who collected it, who handled it, and who 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)
Cautions
Not intended for use in employment-related testing.
Whole blood is required (not serum or plasma).
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday; Varies
Report Available
Same day/1 dayPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
80320
G0480 (if appropriate)