Vancomycin, Trough

Tube Type = Blue Top or Red Bullet

Tube Type

Test ID   LAB39
EPIC Order
   VANCOMYCIN, TROUGH
CPT Code(s)   80202
Group/Individual Test   Individual
Laboratory   Core Laboratory
Tube Station   Routine: 30; STAT: 888
Specimen Routine: 2 mL blood/navy blue plain tube/red plain tube also acceptable; See Comments
 

Micro:

 500 µL blood/red plain (no gel) pediatric bullet; See Comments
Stability
Unspun: 8 hours
Spun/separated, Room Temperature: 8 hours
Spun/separated, Refrigerator: 2 days
Spun/separated, Frozen: 30 days
Availability 24 hrs/day
Turnaround Time   Routine: 2 hours; STAT: 1 hour
Reference Range Therapeutic: 10-20 µg/mL, dependent upon type and severity of infection
  Toxic: >20.0 µg/mL
Comments
  • Trough concentrations correlate better with efficacy than peak concentrations.
  • Trough sample should be collected immediately pre-dose.
  • Red top tubes must NOT contain Serum Separator Gel
  • Therapeutic Reference Range effective 4-5-2010

Reviewed by J. Carr on January 09, 2026

UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514