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Test Code VANTR Vancomycin, Trough

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Serum

Preferred Specimen: Red Top

Other Acceptable specimens: Li Heparin Mint Green Top, Lavendar K2 Top, Lavendar K3 Top

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Samples should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
  • Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  • Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen.
  • Samples must be sent refrigerated at 2-8oC.

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 that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
  • Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours.

Reference Values

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

Vancomycin, Trough

All

All

10.0 - 20.0 μg/mL

References:
1. Rybak M, Lomaestro B, Rotschafer JC, et al. Therapeutic monitoring of vancomycin in adult patients: a consensus review of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists. Am J Health-Syst Pharm 2009;66:82-98.


2. University of Chicago Medical Center. Policy and Procedure Manual. PH04-001 Clinical Pharmacokinetics Service, Appendix B: Vancomycin (Adult) Dosing Guidelines, July 2019 or most recent version.

Critical Values

Analyte

Unit

Low

High

Age

Vancomycin, Trough

μg/mL

N/A

>20.0

All

CPT Codes

80202

LOINC Codes

4092-3

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

 48 hours

Refrigerated

 14 days 

Frozen

 12 months

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

Recommended that serum should be drawn 30 minutes prior to next dose.

 

Test Components

Vancomycin
 

Clinical Indications

The measurement of vancomycin concentrations in serum is essential to optimize therapy and avoid dosage related
toxicity. This is especially important in patients with renal insufficiency, where individualized patient therapy is the only method to ensure optimal therapeutic serum levels without serious side effects.

Methodology

Kinetic Interaction of Microparticles in solution (KIMS) (Roche Diagnostics)

Additional Information

  • Results should always be assessed in conjunction with patient's medical history, clinical examination and other findings.
  • Orders for peak concentrations are not recommended since there is little correlation between high peak levels and toxicity. Please consult the ID PharmD (7945) M-F or the Inpatient Pharmacy for dosing recommendations.
  • The measurement of vancomycin concentrations in serum is essential to optimize therapy and avoid dosage related toxicity. This is especially important in patients with renal insufficiency, where individualized patient therapy is the only method to ensure optimal therapeutic serum levels without serious side effects.
  • Serum trough concentrations, drawn at steady-state conditions, are recommended as the most accurate and practical method to monitor vancomycin therapy. Steady-state achievement is variable but more reliably occurs by the 4th dose.

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

Synonyms/Keyword Search

N/A

Last Review Date

8/19/2024

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