Section 448-14-020. Operational discipline of blood samples for alcohol.

(1) Analytical procedure.

(a) The analytical procedure should include:

(i) A control test

(ii) A blank test

(iii) Duplicate analyses that agree to within plus or minus ten percent of their mean.

(b) All sample remaining after analysis should be retained for at least three months under suitable storage conditions for further analysis if required.

(c) Each analyst will engage in a proficiency test program in which some blood samples containing alcohol are exchanged with other laboratories and tested so that the proficiency of each analyst and the precision and accuracy of the test method can be evaluated no less than one time per year.

(2) Reporting procedure.

(a) The results should be expressed as grams of alcohol per 100 mL of whole blood sample.

(b) The analysis results should be reported to two significant figures.

(c) Blood alcohol results on living subjects of 0.009 grams of alcohol per 100 mL or lower will be reported as negative. Blood alcohol results on post-mortem samples of 0.019 grams of alcohol per 100 mL or less will be reported as negative. (See WAC 448-14-010 (2)(b))

(3) Sample container and preservative.

(a) A chemically clean dry container consistent with the size of the sample with an inert leak-proof stopper will be used.

(b) Blood samples for alcohol analysis must be preserved with an anticoagulant and an enzyme poison sufficient in amount to prevent clotting and stabilize the alcohol concentration. Suitable preservatives and anticoagulants include the combination of sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.61.506. WSR 10-24-067, § 448-14-020, filed 11/30/10, effective 12/31/10; Order 4, § 448-14-020, filed 7/9/70; Emergency and Permanent Order 3, § 448-14-020, filed 9/23/69.]

RCW 46.61.506. WSR 10-24-067, § 448-14-020, filed 11/30/10, effective 12/31/10; Order 4, § 448-14-020, filed 7/9/70; Emergency and Permanent Order 3, § 448-14-020, filed 9/23/69.

Rules

448-14-010,