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Test Code MISCLB (EVS) Ethanol/Volatiles Screen (EVS)

Important Note

Call UIDL at 1-319-384-7212 or 1-319-929-7491 (after hours) to obtain permission and notify UIDL staff of the specimen

Performing Laboratory

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Specimen Requirements

Container/Tube: Green-top (lithium heparin) tube-Specimen with hemolysis >1,000 mg/dL or medico-legal specimen is not acceptable.
Specimen: 1 mL of lithium heparin plasma

Collection Instructions: Separate plasma from cells as soon as possible after specimen draw.

Note: 1. A non-alcohol swab (Betadine) must be used to sterilize drawing site.
2. Patient ingestion of alcohol-containing medicinal liquids (ie, elixirs and mouthwashes) may affect result.

Reference Values

None detected

Ethanol intoxication begins in the 50-100 mg/dL range.

Critical value: >300 mg/dL

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Analytic time is approximately 2 hours upon receipt in the UIDL laboratory.

Methodology

Ethanol: Enzymatic

Osmolality: Freezing Point Depression

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82055