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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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NICOTINE AND COTININE, SERUM/PLASMA

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB1013    Geisinger Epic ID:  51977

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Serum (preferred) or plasma or whole blood


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
6 mL dark blue-top (K2 EDTA) tube
3 mL lavender-top (K2 EDTA) tube
Specimen required: 

1 mL serum (preferred) or plasma; minimum 0.5 mL; OR 4 mL whole blood (minimum 2 mL)



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Spin and transfer serum or plasma into a plastic, screw-capped vial.


Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated (cold packs).


Specimen stability: 

Serum and plasma: Room temperature: 72 hours. Refrigerated: 21 days. Frozen: 30 days. 
Whole blood: Room temperature: 72 hours. Refrigerated: 21 days. Frozen: Unacceptable.


Rejection criteria: 

Gross hemolysis. Serum Separator Tube (SST®).



TEST DETAILS
Additional information: 

This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.


CPT code(s):  80323
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Nicotine, Serum/Plasma and Cotinine, Serum/Plasma


Methodology: 
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
Synonyms: 

Quest test code 90642, Nicot Ser/Pl


Clinical significance: 

This assay is used for the detection of nicotine and cotinine in serum and plasma to determine the tobacco exposure status of the individual.


Review Date:  12/05/2024

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