The ethyl alcohol assay categorization enables moderate complexity laboratories to expand drug screening capabilities on the Abbott analyzer platform.
Carolina Liquid Chemistries Corp has received CLIA moderate complexity categorization for its ethyl alcohol assay on the Abbott Laboratories ImmTox 270 clinical chemistry analyzer, expanding drug screening options for laboratories with moderate complexity licensure.
The ethyl alcohol assay provides quantitative determination of ethyl alcohol in human urine, serum, or plasma samples. The categorization allows clinical laboratories operating the ImmTox 270 to add alcohol testing to their existing drug screening menu without requiring high complexity certification.
“This assay has previously been categorized as moderate complexity for use on other chemistry analyzers,” says Carolina Liquid Chemistries CEO Phil Shugart, in a release. “We’re pleased to now extend that benefit to laboratories running the Abbott ImmTox 270.”
Clinical Applications Across Healthcare Settings
The alcohol assay aims to address testing needs across multiple healthcare environments, including hospitals, emergency departments, urgent care facilities, and practices specializing in substance abuse or pain management. Reference laboratories and centralized clinical laboratories serving large group practices may also perform ethyl alcohol testing using the assay.
Alcohol concentration determination serves several clinical and legal purposes, including measuring legal impairment, forensic evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of alcohol dependency, and detection of alcohol intoxication. When ingested, alcohol spreads throughout the body, with more than 90% metabolized in the liver and the remainder excreted in urine and serum.
Ethyl alcohol appears in alcoholic beverages as well as various foods, drinks, candies, and medicinal preparations. Alcohol intoxication can result in severe loss of alertness, stupor, coma, and death, while also presenting public safety concerns and potential for birth defects including fetal alcohol syndrome.
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