CPT® Code 80320

The CPT® Code 80320 refers to a laboratory test specifically designed to measure the presence and concentration of alcohols, including ethanol, methanol, and isopropanol, in blood or other body fluids. This test is crucial in various clinical settings, as it aids in diagnosing, evaluating, and treating certain medical conditions related to alcohol consumption. Additionally, it plays a significant role in drug abuse screening, helping healthcare professionals assess a patient's substance use. The measurement of alcohol levels can be performed on different types of specimens, such as serum, plasma, whole blood, saliva, and urine. It is important to note that the concentration of alcohol varies across these fluids due to their differing water content; for instance, plasma and serum levels are typically 12-18% higher than those found in whole blood, while saliva levels can be 7% higher, and urine levels may be as much as 30% higher than whole blood. The testing methods employed for this analysis include gas chromatography and enzymatic oxidation assay (EOA). Gas chromatography, while more time-consuming, provides a quantitative evaluation of ethanol and can also identify the presence of methanol and isopropanol. In contrast, the EOA is a rapid testing method that utilizes alcohol dehydrogenase to create a visible color change in the presence of alcohol, although it is not specific to ethanol and may overlook methanol and isopropanol entirely.