Test ID: VLTS
Volatile Screen, Serum
NY State Approved 
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Detection and quantitation of acetone, methanol, isopropanol, and ethanol in serum
Quantification of the concentration of ethanol in serum correlates with degree of intoxication
Evaluation of toxicity to the measured volatile substances
Method Name A short description of the method used to perform the test
Headspace Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (HSGC-FID)
Includes methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and acetone.
Reporting Name A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Alcohol
Ethanol
Ethyl Alcohol
ETOH (Ethanol)
Isopropanol
Methanol
Specimen Type Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Ethylene glycol requires a separate request. See ETGL/8749 Ethylene Glycol, Serum.
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Preferred:
Container/Tube: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: Full tube
Collection Instructions:
1. Arm must be cleansed with water only.
2. Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere.
3. Do not aliquot.
Acceptable:
Container/Tube: Red top
Specimen Volume: Full tube
Collection Instructions:
1. Arm must be cleansed with water only.
2. Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere.
3. Centrifuge specimen within 2 hours of draw and send serum aliquot to laboratory refrigerated.
Specimen Minimum Volume Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | Mild OK; Gross OK |
| Lipemia | Mild OK; Gross OK |
| Icterus | Mild OK; Gross OK |
| Other | NA |
Specimen Stability Information Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 72 hours |
| Frozen | 14 days | |
| Ambient | 24 hours |
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Volatile substances in the blood include ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, and acetone:
-Ethanol is the single most important substance of abuse in the United States. It is the active agent in beer, wine, vodka, whiskey, rum, and other liquors.
-Methanol and isopropanol are highly toxic; toxicity results from ingestion (exogenous).
-Acetone is generally elevated in metabolic conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis (endogenous). It also is a metabolite of isopropanol.
Ethanol acts on cerebral function as a depressant similar to general anesthetics. This depression causes most of the typical symptoms such as impaired thought, clouded judgment, and changed behavior. As the level of alcohol increases, the degree of impairment progressively increases.
On average, the serum or plasma concentration of the alcohols is 1.2-fold higher than blood concentration. For example, the serum or plasma would contain approximately 0.10 g/dL of ethanol in a blood specimen that contains 0.08 g/dL ethanol. Due to potential variations in the serum to whole blood ratio, serum should not be used in a medico-legal context. However, in the context of medical/clinical assessment, serum or plasma may be submitted for analysis.
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
METHANOL
Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: > or =10 mg/dL
ETHANOL
Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: > or =400 mg/dL
ISOPROPANOL
Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: > or =10 mg/dL
ACETONE
Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: > or =10 mg/dL
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Toxic concentrations:
-Methanol: > or =10 mg/dL
-Ethanol: > or =400 mg/dL
-Isopropanol: > or =10 mg/dL
-Acetone: > or =10 mg/dL
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
No significant cautionary statements
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Caplan YH: In Forensic Science Handbook. Vol 1. Edited by R Saferstein. Englewood Cliffs, Prentice Hall, 1982
2. Goodman and Gilman's: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. Seventh edition. Edited by TW Rall, F Murad. New York, McMillan Publishing, 1985
3. Porter WF, Moyer TP: Clinical toxicology. In Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. Fourth edition. Edited by CA Burtis, ER Ashwood. Philadelphia, WB Saunders Company, 1993, pp 1155-1235
4. Principles of Forensic Toxicology. Edited by B Levine. Washington DC, American Association of Clinical Chemistry, 1999
Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Specimens are analyzed and quantitated by headspace gas chromatography-flame ionization detection.(Sunshine I: Methodology for Analytical Toxicology. Cleveland, OH, CRC Press, 1975, pp 145)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Sunday; Varies
Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
84600-Screen
82010-Acetone (if appropriate)
82055-Ethanol (if appropriate)
82491-Isopropanol (if appropriate)
82491-Methanol (if appropriate)
LOINC® Code Information Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| 8632 | Volatile Scrn, S | 32044-0 |
| 30917 | Methanol, S | 5693-7 |
| 30918 | Ethanol, S | 5643-2 |
| 30919 | Acetone, S | 5568-1 |
| 30920 | Isopropanol, S | 5669-7 |
| 34376 | Chain of Custody | N/A |
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