The alcohol used for cleansing the venipuncture site does not jeopardize blood and plasma alcohol measurement with head-space gas chromatography and an enzymatic assay.
Author(s): Lippi G, Simundic AM, Musile G, Danese E, Salvagno G, Tagliaro F
Publication: Biochem Med (Zagreb), 2017, Vol. 27, Page 398-403
PubMed ID: 28694729 PubMed Review Paper? No
Purpose of Paper
This paper investigated if use of alcohol wipes to clean the venipuncture site prior to blood collection affects the measurement of alcohol levels by head-space gas chromatography (GC) in whole blood and EDTA plasma.
Conclusion of Paper
Alcohol was not detected in whole blood using GC or in plasma using GC or a clinical chemistry analyzer when the venipuncture site was cleansed with alcohol antiseptic and the needle was inserted while the site was still wet or after the site was dried.
Studies
-
Study Purpose
This study investigated if use of alcohol wipes to clean the venipuncture site prior to blood collection affects the measurement of alcohol levels by head-space gas chromatography in the whole blood and EDTA plasma of 23 healthy volunteers. For the first collection, a tourniquet was applied to the right arm and the site was cleaned with a gauze pad soaked with 2 mL alcohol antiseptic (0.5% chlorhexidine digluconate and 70% ethanol) and the needle was inserted within 5 seconds (before drying). For the second collection, a tourniquet was applied to the left arm, the site was cleaned with a gauze pad soaked with 2 mL alcohol antiseptic, and then the site was thoroughly dried with a cotton ball before the needle was inserted. Both specimens were collected through 19-gauge needles into 6 mL K2EDTA vacuum tubes and inverted four times. Specimens were split for GC analysis and enzymatic analysis. Plasma was obtained by centrifugation at 3000 x g for 15 min. GC analysis was carried out on EDTA plasma and whole blood using a head-space GC analyzer with flame ionization detector. The concentration of alcohol in EDTA plasma was measured using the alcohol dehydrogenase method on a Roche Cobas 6000 analyzer.
Summary of Findings:
Alcohol levels were below the limit of detection by GC in all blood and EDTA plasma specimens when the venipuncture site was cleansed with alcohol antiseptic and the needle was inserted while the site was still wet or after the site was dried. Similarly, alcohol was not detected by enzymatic assay in any of the EDTA plasma specimens, regardless of drying.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- None (Fresh)
Diagnoses:
- Normal
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Small molecule Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Small molecule GC- flame ionization Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Biospecimen Acquisition Anatomical location of blood draw Left and right sides compared
Biospecimen Aliquots and Components Blood and blood products Plasma
Whole blood
Biospecimen Acquisition Method of fluid acquisition Collection site preparation methods compared