Test Entry - Detail

Paracetamol

General

Clinical Use:

Used to determine whether a patient has overdosed on paracetamol, and to help decide on the need for treatment.

Availability:

Samples are tested routinely during the testing laboratory's hours of operation.

Aliases/Synonyms:

Acetaminophen, Panadol,

Code:

PAR

Handling Instructions (to laboratory):

Send sample chilled.

Hyperlink:

Reference Interval:

A blood concentration exceeding 150mg/L at 4 hours after ingestion warrants treatment. 
Treatment thresholds at later times are provided by the "Paracetamol Treatment Nomogram"
available from the PathWest laboratory website: PathWest - Guides & CPD.  
Concentrations measured before 4 hours are unreliable because of continuing absorption.
Caution is required in patients that have taken a sustain-release formulation of paracetamol.

Collection Requirements

Container:

Serum, no gel (RED),

Sample Type:

See container

Minimum Collection Volume:

Collection Instructions:

If sample will not reach laboratory within 4 hours of collection, it must be centrifuged and separated from gel. Alternatively a non-gel tube should be used.

Processing Requirements

Alternate Containers:

Lithium Heparin, No Gel (DKGNLITH)

Serum Sep. Tube-SST (GOLD)

Lithium Heparin-PST (GREEN)

Processing Instructions:

Minimum Assay Volume:

100uL

Stability:

4 hours chilled (unseparated); 1 week chilled (separated)

Transport Instructions (to testing laboratory):

Send sample chilled.

Testing Locations

Performed at:

Section	Department	Site	Contact Phone
-	Laboratory	Albany Health Campus	9892 2240
-	Laboratory	Armadale Health Service	9391 2030
-	Laboratory	Broome Health Campus	9194 2286
-	Laboratory	Bunbury Hospital	9722 1280
-	Laboratory	Busselton Hospital	9753 6260
-	Laboratory	Carnarvon Hospital	9941 0431
-	Laboratory	Collie Hospital	9734 1132
-	Laboratory	Derby Hospital	9193 3371
-	Laboratory	Esperance Health Campus	9079 8139
-	Laboratory	Geraldton Regional Hospital	9956 2254
-	Laboratory	Hedland Health Campus	9174 1504
-	Laboratory	Kalgoorlie Health Campus	9080 5825
-	Laboratory	Karratha Health Campus	9144 7674
-	Laboratory	Katanning Health Service	9821 6334
-	Laboratory	Kununurra Hospital	9166 4245
-	Laboratory	Manjimup Hospital	9772 5137
-	Laboratory	Merredin Health Service	9041 1532
-	Laboratory	Narrogin Hospital	9881 0481
-	Laboratory	Northam Health Service	9690 1657
-	Laboratory	Rockingham General Hospital	9599 4239
Core	Biochemistry	Fiona Stanley Hospital	6152 8140
Core	Biochemistry	QEII Medical Centre	6383 4093
Core	Biochemistry	Royal Perth Hospital	9224 1176

Last Updated : 30-12-2022 11:09