Question

226 Unit IV: Special Procedures Case Study 11-3: Forensic Blood Alcohol Collection and asks for the specimen in the gray-top tube an In his first week on the job, a new graduate the accompanying paperwork. The phlebotomist phlebotomist is called to the ER for a stat blood draw. relieved and returns to the laboratory. When he arrives he is told to collect an ETOH. The 10 patient smells heavily of alcohol and the phlebotomist is pretty certain that this is going to be an elevated der QUESTIONS ETOH with a legal investigation involved. The phlebotomist studied forensic blood alcohol collection 1. Was the phlebotomist correct in deciding that the in his training program, but this is the first real one he ETOH was going to involve an investigation, and has collected and he is a little unsure of what to do. what does a forensic collection involve? He remembers that a certain strict protocol is involved 2. What is the strict protocol that the phlebotomist and that the site must not be cleaned with alcohol. remembered from his training and what does it All he has on his tray other than alcohol preps are a few benzalkonium chloride preps. He decides to use involve? those. Laboratory protocol says to use an SST for an 3. Was benzalkonium chloride an acceptable antiseptic ETOH level, but he remembers something from his to use to collect the specimen? training about drawing a forensic ETOH in a gray top. He decides to draw one of each tube, collecting the 4. Was it acceptable to draw both an SST and a gray SST first. A police officer arrives just as he is finishing top?

Answer 1

1.According to HIPAA rules and regulations all ETOH sample are subjected for investigation. The phlebotomist was correct in making the decision .The forensic collection in this refers to identification of any drug or intoxication of the blood with alcohol

2.The strict protocol which the phlebotomist learns during the training are

• It has to be collected in a gold top tube with SST is preferred one but a red,Gray,pink top tube are also acceptable
• Use of non alcoholic rub has to be done
• Should mention the date and time of collection
• Patient details with barcodes has to be stuck on it
• A form has to filled

3.Benzalkonium chloride is an acceptable eub because it contains ammonium as antiseptic which doesn't interact with the result

4.If is acceptable to collect sample in a serum separator tube and grey tube separately but not at a time because the preffered and correct tube to collect ETOH sample should be in red top SST as per the protocols because it separates the serum and plasma and aides in correct laboratory values.