Blood Alcohol Testing - S.A. Road Traffic Act 1961 &
Harbours & Navigation Act 1993
S.A. Road Traffic Act (NB other states may vary)
A forensic blood alcohol specimen will be taken in the following
circumstances:
-
- Involvement in vehicular/boating/skiing collision (occupant -
including passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, equestrian)
- Age > 14 y.o.
- Presents to hospital < 8 hrs post accident
- Public road (including beaches, town and shopping centre car parks,
state forest tracks)
-
- Voluntary testing following positive police breathalyser
-
- Ordered by police if unable to comply with breathalyser
Procedure
- Every effort should be made to obtain a blood sample unless the
patient specifically objects or a policeman instructs otherwise
- If unconscious or deceased, blood should still be taken
- Do not rely on hearsay that a patient had a negative breathalyser at the
scene
- Blood samples may be aspirated from IV cannula (but not once IV fluids
have started)
- Open the kit
- Obtain verbal consent
- Perform venipuncture and draw 10ml blood (do not use alcohol wipes)
- Fill bottles and seal with label ID
- Complete quadruplicate form
- Confirm ID on form corresponds with labelled bottles (document ID in ED
record)
- Give one sample to patient (in cases of positive police breathalyser test)
else place both samples in police box
- Provide green copy of form to patient (if not practical, seal in envelope
and store with patient's personal effects)
Maintain chain of evidence - the blood sample must not leave your
sight/possession from the time you obtain it to the time it is deposited
in the police blood box
Consent issues/Patient refusal
- Read the Road Traffic Act on the form
- Indicate that a refusal constitutes an offence
- Record any factors that may contribute to a refusal
- Penalties for refusal:
- $300 for non-drivers
- $700-$1200 first offence for drivers
- $1500-$2500 subsequent offences.
Additional information
- Hospital breathalyser and lab reports are not admissible as evidence (do
not confirm or deny guilt)
- A repeat specimen is not required if there is no break of the chain of
evidence with the first sample
- Document any irregularities or unusual circumstance during the process
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