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HelpTest ID VLTBX Volatile Screen, Chain of Custody, Blood
Useful For
Detection and quantitation of acetone, methanol, isopropanol, and ethanol in whole blood
Quantification of the concentration of ethanol in blood which correlates with the degree of intoxication
Evaluation of toxicity to the measured volatile substances
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 |
Testing Algorithm
Volatile screen includes methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and acetone.
Method Name
Headspace Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (HSGC-FID)
Reporting Name
Volatile Screen, CoC, BSpecimen Type
Whole bloodContainer/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.
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 | Refrigerated (preferred) | 72 hours |
| Frozen | 14 days | |
| Ambient | 24 hours |
Clinical Information
Volatile substances in the blood include ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, and acetone. Acetone is generally elevated in metabolic conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis. Methanol and isopropanol are highly toxic and result from exogenous ingestion.
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 function 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 progressively increases.
In most jurisdictions in the United States, the per se blood level for being under the influence of alcohol (ethanol) 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
METHANOL
Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: ≥10 mg/dL
ETHANOL
Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: ≥400 mg/dL
ISOPROPANOL
Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: ≥10 mg/dL
ACETONE
Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: ≥10 mg/dL
Cautions
This test does not detect ethylene glycol.
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)