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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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ETHANOL, FORENSIC

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  lab3414    Geisinger Epic ID:  108208
Test Restriction:  For contracted clients only

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Whole blood


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

3 mL whole blood; minimum 1 mL.


Special notes: 

Must follow forensic collection protocol. 
Testing limited to local police departments (Mahoning Township, Danville, Riverside, and Milton State Police) and forensic urine drug testing collection sites. 
Use non-alcoholic wipe to clean collection site.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated (preferred) or room temperature.


Specimen stability: 

Room temperature: 3 days. Refrigerated: 5 days.


Rejection criteria: 

Stability limits exceeded. Deviation from chain of custody (consult with Toxicology Laboratory).



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

Negative. 
Cutoff concentration 0.01 g/dL. 
Legal limit: 0.08 g/dL.


CPT code(s):  80320
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: 

Ethanol.


Methodology: 
Gas Chromatography (GC)
Synonyms: 

Alcohol, Ethanol


Doctoral Director(s): 
Hoi-Ying Elsie Yu, PhD, DABCC, FADLM
Sheng-Ying (Margaret) Lo, PhD, DABCC
Review Date:  12/17/2024

Performing Locations