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Test Code VLTBX Volatile Screen, Chain of Custody, Blood

Reporting Name

Volatile Screen, CoC, B

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Useful For

Detection and quantitation of acetone, methanol, isopropanol, and ethanol in whole blood

 

Quantification of the concentration of ethanol in blood that correlates with the degree of intoxication

 

Evaluation of toxicity to the measured volatile substances

 

This test is not intended for use in employment-related testing.

 

Providing chain-of-custody for when the results of testing could be used in a court of law. Its purpose is to protect the rights of the individual contributing the specimen by demonstrating that it was always under the control of personnel involved with testing the specimen; this control implies that the opportunity for specimen tampering would be limited.

Method Name

Headspace Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector (HSGC-FID)


Specimen Required


Supplies: Chain-of-Custody Kit (T282)

Container/Tube: Chain-of-Custody Kit containing the specimen container seals and documentation required.

Preferred: Gray top (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride)

Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA) or green top (sodium heparin)

Specimen Volume: 2 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Do not use alcohol to clean arm. Use alternative such as Betadine to cleanse arm before collecting any specimen for volatile testing.

2. Specimen must be sent in original tube. Collect specimen, seal, and submit with the associated documentation to satisfy the legal requirements for chain of custody testing.


Specimen Type

Whole blood

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL or amount to fill 1 tube

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Whole blood Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  28 days
  Ambient  24 hours

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia Reject
Gross icterus OK

Reference Values

Methanol:

Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)

Toxic concentration: ≥10 mg/dL

 

Ethanol:

Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)

Toxic concentration: ≥400 mg/dL

 

Isopropanol:

Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)

Toxic concentration: ≥10 mg/dL

 

Acetone:

Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)

Toxic concentration: ≥10 mg/dL

Interpretation

Methanol:

The presence of methanol indicates exposure that may result in intoxication, central nervous system (CNS) depression, and metabolic acidosis. Ingestion of methanol can be fatal if patients do not receive immediate medical treatment.

 

Ethanol:

The presence of ethanol indicates exposure that may result in intoxication, CNS depression, and metabolic acidosis.

 

Isopropanol:

The presence of isopropanol indicates exposure that may result in intoxication and CNS depression. Ingestion of isopropanol can be fatal if patients do not receive immediate medical treatment.

 

Acetone:

The presence of acetone may indicate exposure to acetone; it is also a metabolite of isopropanol and may be detected during ketoacidosis.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Report Available

1 to 2 days

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

80320

G0480 (if appropriate)

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
VLTBX Volatile Screen, CoC, B 41266-8

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
36241 Volatile Scrn, B 41266-8
36242 Methanol, B 9334-4
36243 Ethanol, B 5640-8
36244 Acetone, B 9425-0
36245 Isopropanol, B 5667-1
36246 Chain of Custody 77202-0

Forms

Chain of Custody Request is included in the Chain-of-Custody Kit (T282)

Additional Tests

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
COCH Chain of Custody Processing No Yes

Testing Algorithm

This test includes analysis of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and acetone.