Ethanol - Blood

1 x 5 mL light green (mint) top PST tube.  Gold top SST tube is also acceptable.

0.2 mL heparinized plasma or serum

Minimum Blood Volume for Patients less than 45 kg (100 lb) Including Neonates and Pediatrics

DO NOT swab arm with alcohol; DISINFECT with IODINE.

NOTE: CLS staff will not collect blood for ethanol testing for legal investigations (kits supplied by law enforcement).

CENTRIFUGE sample to separate plasma/serum from cells within 2 hours of collection.

Where possible, a PST/SST collection tube that has never been opened prior to analysis provides the best sample integrity.

If tube is opened; exposure of sample to air must be minimal to prevent evaporation of ethanol.

STATs from PSC route directly to FMC.

Legal limit: 17.4 mmol/L

Click here for critical values.