Isopropyl alcohol pad use for blood ethanol sampling does not cause false-positive results.
This was a retrospective analysis of prospective data collected from a study of blood ethanol levels after the use of the alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS). A total of 5 male volunteers were enrolled. Eight of the 10 total blood ethanol level measurements were drawn after skin preparation with Kendall WEBCOL Alcohol Preps (APP) containing 70% isopropyl alcohol. All had an initial and post-ABHS application blood alcohol level (BAL) drawn, for a total of 10 BAL measurements. Measurements upon completion of the study were <5 mg/dL in all 5 study participants and in each of the 10 blood draws regardless of skin preparation technique. This study demonstrates that the use of isopropyl skin prep pads is unlikely to cause significant false-positive blood ethanol levels.
Miller
Michael A
MA
Department of Emergency Medicine, Darnall Army Medical Center, Ft. Hood, Texas 76544, USA.
Rosin
Alex
A
Levsky
Marc E
ME
Gregory
Timothy J D
TJ
Crystal
Chad S
CS
D019840:2-Propanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D000431:Ethanol; D019840:2-Propanol