Ethanol

Alternative Names/Synonyms	Alcohol, EtOH, Ethyl Alcohol
Laboratory	Core Laboratory & Transfusion Medicine
Sub-section	Biochemistry
Specimen Type	Blood
Test Code	ETOH, ETOHP

Clinical Significance

Identifying alcohol (ethanol) intoxication and poisoning.

Specimen Requirements (Sample Type)

Serum, Plasma

Specimen Requirements (Volume (mL))

0.5 mL

Specimen Requirements (Tube Type)

Serum (Gold SST)
Plasma (Light Green PST)
Collection Containers – Tube Types

Collection Requirements

Blood Collection Instructions

Sample Stability

Room Temperature: 2 days

Fridge: 2 weeks @ 2-8°C

Freezer: 4 weeks @ -20°C

Cause for Rejection

Specimen Acceptability and Transport Guidance

Instrument, Methodology

Roche cobas c 702, enzymatic

Test Availability

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

STAT Turnaround Time

1 hour

Routine Turnaround Time

3 hours

Reference Ranges

Legal: <= 17 mmol/L
Toxic: > 39 mmol/L

In case of discrepancies, always interpret results using reference ranges as stated on laboratory reports and/or electronic patient chart.

Laboratory Contact Information

416-586-4800 extension 4688

Patient Preparation

Do not use alcohol or other volatile disinfectants at the site of venipuncture. Benzalkonium chloride, thimerosal, or povidone-iodine may be used.