Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
Determination of alcohol concentration is commonly used for measuring legal impairment, forensic purposes, diagnosis and/or treatment of alcohol dependency, as well as detection of alcohol poisoning.
Specimen container paediatric:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Specimen container adult:
10 mL
Minimum volume paediatric:
10 mL
Minimum volume adult:
1 mL blood
Sample stability:
Samples are stable at 4C to be analysed within 5 days of collection. For prolonged storage, freezing of samples is recommended.
Availability:
24/7, analysed at RVI and Freeman
Factors affecting result:
Do not use alcohol or other volatile disinfectants at the site of venipuncture.
Not suitable for analysis of post-mortem samples.
Other info:
Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable