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Test Code 590 Salicylate (Aspirin)

Additional Codes

ALAB: SALC

PowerChart: Salicylate Level

MA Cerner: Salicylate Level

Test Method

Timed Endpoint Technique; Beckman DxC700AU

Specimen Requirement

0.5 mL serum or plasma is required. Gel Tubes are not acceptable.

Additional Specimen Collection Information

Collect blood in a lithium heparin, green-top or red-top tube. Serum or plasma should be separated from contact with the cells within 2 hours of collection. Specimens not centrifuged within 4 hours of collection may be rejected. Refrigerate the specimen if unable to assay within 8 hours of collection. Samples with >2+ lipemia must be cleared prior to analysis.

Performance

Monday through Sunday

Routine: Typically completed within 4 hours after arrival at the testing site.

Expedite: Typically completed within 1 hours after specimen arrives at the testing site.

STAT: Typically completed within 30 minutes after specimen arrives at the testing site.

Reference Values

Therapeutic: 15-30 mg/dL

  • Critical Value: > 40 mg/dL

CPT Code Information

Insurances following Medicare rules: G0480

80329 Analgesics, non-opioid; 1 or 2

Useful For

Assessing toxicity

This test is NOT useful for assessing low-dose aspirin therapy

LOINC Code Information

4024-6 Salicylates [Mass/Volume] In Serum Or Plasma

Limitations

  1. Patients treated with Sulfasalazime may generate a false high result for salicylate.
  2. Patients treated with Sulfapyridine may generate a false low result for salicylate.
  3. Patients treated with temozolomide may generate a false low result for salicylate.