Alcohol Testing

What is breath alcohol testing?

A breath alcohol test measures the alcohol content in your breath and uses that number to estimate how much alcohol is in your blood. Your Physicians Medical Urgent Care doctor gives you a blood alcohol content or (BAC) reading. BAC starts rising about 15 minutes after you consume your first alcoholic beverage. 

Why would I need breath alcohol testing?

When you drink alcohol, it impairs your thinking and decision-making abilities. Alcohol also slows down your reflexes and makes you clumsy. These factors make activities such as driving, operating heavy machinery, and doing manual labor dangerous. If you’re in an automobile accident or you suffer a work-related injury, the police or your employer might require you to undergo alcohol testing.

Your Physicians Medical Urgent Care provider might also recommend breath alcohol testing if they suspect you’re having an allergic reaction or suffering other negative physical side-effects as a result of drinking alcohol. For example, if you’re confused or incoherent, your doctor might recommend breath alcohol testing to determine the best course of treatment. 

What happens during alcohol testing?

At Physicians Medical Urgent Care, the doctors conduct breath alcohol testing on-site. There are two types of breath alcohol testing: manual and electronic.

Electronic breath alcohol testing

During an electronic breath alcohol test, you blow into a mouthpiece attached to an electronic reader. The reader calculates your BAC immediately.

Manual breath alcohol testing

A manual breath alcohol test is very similar. Instead of an electronic reader, though, you blow into a balloon connected to a glass tube. If you’re caught driving or operating heavy machinery with a BAC reading of 0.08% or over, it may result in your arrest or other legal ramifications.  

Is alcohol testing accurate?

Breath alcohol testing has a proven track record of success, but there are factors that may result in an error. To ensure the integrity of your results, Physicians Medical Urgent Care also offers laboratory services, including blood testing and urinalysis. If necessary, your doctor can order these tests to confirm your BAC reading.  

To learn more about alcohol testing at Physicians Medical Urgent Care, or to schedule your consultation, call the office, click the online booking tool, or walk-in today.