Specimen Collection
2 mL Urine (Random)
Reference Intervals

Results greater than 2 mmol/L are reported as Detected.

Uncertainty of measurement: 10%

Turnaround Time: Within 1 day

Availability : If required outside normal working hours (Mon- Fri, 8am - 4.30pm), the request must be approved by a Chemical Pathologist. The request form must be clearly marked ' Urgent' and the laboratory must be alerted by telephone (via Lablink) before the sample is sent.

Assay Method

Principle: Immunoassay

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

Ethanol measurements can be useful in determining whether a level of unconsciousness in a patient can be explained by ethanol alone or if other toxicological causes should be sought. Measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol intoxication and poisoning, or for determining compliance with drug rehabilitation programme requirements.

In addition to alcoholic beverages, ethyl alcohol can be found in high concentrations in a variety of products such as mouthwashes, colognes, sweets and medicinal preparations. Increased levels of lactic acid and LDH in post-mortem specimens may cause elevated ethyl alcohol results.

Please see "Drug screen - clinical management" for further information.

Drug screen

Contact Information

Emails to chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist.

If the query concerns a specific patient please include the NHI number in your email.

If email is not a suitable option, please contact the on-call chemical pathologist via Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995).

Individual chemical pathologists may be contacted but will not be available at all times.

After-hours : contact Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours.

Dr Samarina Musaad (Clinical Lead) : SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz ext. 22402

Dr Cam Kyle: CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz ext 22052

Dr Weldon Chiu: WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Dr Campbell Heron: CHeron@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Dr Sakunthala Jayasinghe: Sakunthala@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Last updated at 15:26:00 06/01/2025