Drugs of Abuse Screen
Label Mnemonic: | DRUGSCR |
Epic code: | LAB5705 |
Downtime form: | Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery |
Commercial Mailout Laboratory
6240-8 RCP
356-8593
6240-8 RCP
356-8593
Specimen(s):
Plasma
Specimen
Instructions:
Plasma is preferred over serum. Cocaine and cocaethylene are more
stable in fluoride-preserved plasma than serum.
Collection Medium:
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Pink top tube 6 mL (K2-EDTA) | Pink top tube 6 mL (K2-EDTA) |
Minimum:
Preferred Minimum: 4 mL plasma
Absolute Minimum: 3 mL plasma
Absolute Minimum: 3 mL plasma
Rejection Criteria:
Specimens exposed to repeated freeze/thaw cycles. Separator tubes. Plasma or whole blood collected in lt. blue (sodium citrate). Hemolyzed specimens.
Delivery Instructions:

Turn Around
Time:
Screen: 1-2 days upon receipt at reference laboratory
Confirmation: 1-4 days upon receipt at reference laboratory
Confirmation: 1-4 days upon receipt at reference laboratory
Reference Range:
Drugs/Drug Classes Screen Amphetamines 20 ng/mL Methamphetamine 20 ng/mL Barbiturates 50 ng/mL Benzodiazepines 50 ng/mL Buprenorphine 1 ng/mL Cocaine 20 ng/mL Marijuana 20 ng/mL Methadone and metabolite 25 ng/mL Opiates 20 ng/mL Oxycodone 20 ng/mL Phencyclidine 10 ng/mL
Interpretive Data:
Drugs/Drug classes reported as "Positive" are automatically reflexed
to mass spectrometry confirmation/quantitation. An unconfirmed
positive immunoassay screen result may be useful for medical purposes
but does not meet forensic standards. The absence of expected drug(s)
and/or drug metabolite(s) may indicate non-compliance, inappropriate
timing of specimen collection relative to drug administration, poor
drug absorption, or limitations of testing. The concentration at which
the screening test can detect a drug or metabolite varies within a
drug class. Specimens for which drugs or drug classes are detected by
the screen are automatically reflexed to a second, more specific
technology (GC/MS and/or LC-MS/MS). The concentration value must be
greater than or equal to the cutoff to be reported as positive.
Interpretive questions should be directed to the laboratory.
For medical purposes only; not valid for forensic use.
For medical purposes only; not valid for forensic use.
Comments:
Note: Screen-positive specimens are automatically confirmed by GC/MS
and/or LC-MS/MS; additional charges may apply.
Methodology:
Enzyme Immunoassay/Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/Liquid
Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
CPT Code:
80307 Screen; if positive add appropriate CPT code for drug
confirmed: 80349 Marijuana; 80353 Cocaine; 80361 Opiates; 83992
Phencyclidine; 80324 Amphetamines; 80345 Barbiturates; 80358
Methadone; 80346 Benzodiazepine; 80348 Buprenorphine