Test Code RTCOLV Carboxyhemoglobin
Specimen and Container/Tube
Specimen Type: Whole blood
Preferred Specimen: Syringe
Other Acceptable Specimens: None
Volume
Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL
Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL
Specimen Stability
Storage Temperature |
Stability |
Room temperature |
30 minutes |
Refrigerated |
not acceptable |
Frozen |
not acceptable |
Collection Instructions
- Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures.
- Remove all air from syringe.
- Remove needle.
- Cap tightly and mix well.
Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions
UCMC Onsite Instructions:
- Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately.
- Testing must be performed within 30 minutes of collection
UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions:
- Specimens are not acceptable from offsite locations for blood gas testing
Rejection Criteria
- Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits.
- Specimens with needles attached will be rejected.
- Specimens with air bubbles.
Reference Values
Analyte |
Age |
Sex |
Normal Range |
Carbon monoxide |
All |
All |
≤3.0% |
Critical Values
Analyte |
Age |
Low |
High |
Carbon monoxide |
All |
NA |
>20.0% |
Turnaround Time
Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory.
STAT Turnaround Time: 1 hour
Routine Turnaround Time: 4 hours
Testing Schedule: 24/7
Test Components
Carbon monoxide level
Methodology
Direct measurement
CPT Codes
82375
LOINC Codes
TBD
Additional Information
NA
Last Review Date
4/29/2025