Ethanol (Blood)

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

ETH

Test Code (Numeric Code)

0865

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

DO NOT SWAB THE VENEPUNCTURE SITE WITH ALCOHOL.

Sample Stability

2 days at 25°C, 2 weeks at 5°C, 4 weeks at -15°C

Synonyms

Alcohol, BAC, Blood alcohol content

Turnaround Time

3 hours

Specimen Type

  • Plasma
  • Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)
Acceptable
  • Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
  • Plain (Red Top)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

5

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

4

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)
Acceptable
  • Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
  • Plain (Red Top)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

0.5

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.5

Pre-testing Requirements

DO NOT SWAB THE VENEPUNCTURE SITE WITH ALCOHOL

Additional Specimen Information

0.5 mL Paediatric Microtainer PST Blood (Preferred)
0.5 mL Paediatric Microtainer Plain Blood
0.5 mL Paediatric Microtainer Heparin Blood

Last updated: 28/07/2026