Posts Tagged ‘Oral fluid drug testing’

Drug Test Type Approval

Saturday, September 10th, 2011

Home Office Guidance for drug testing

The Home Office has issued a Type Approval Guidance document that recommends the type of drug testing testing technology that meets their standards.HO Type approval oral fluid drug test devices

For a number of years the UK Government has been working collaboratively with a number of experts in over 20 European Countries to determine what is a sufficiently robust and effective method of measuring the level of substances that can be detected in biological samples.

The DRUID (Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, Alcohol and Medicines) European Integrated Druid’s Project has conducted a large scale evaluation of on-site screening devices that can effectively detect psychoactive substances other than alcohol in drivers.  It has published a report on its findings Druid final evaluation report

It found that some devices were more effective than others in detecting drugs at reasonable levels.  This study alongside other  findings has enabled key decision makers to better understand what drug testing devices are ‘fit for purpose’ in key areas such as roadside drug testing.

The Project examined the effectiveness of oral fluid drug tests and other similar devices.

The Home Office Forensic Service Guidelines provides a comprehensive document Drug test type approval what is in effect best practice, particularly in relation to testing for driving whilst under the influence of drugs.

Drug testing-Cut off levels

Detecting substance misuse by screening various samples including urine, saliva and hair presents the client with some confusing scientific data.  Drug cut off levels can vary significantly depending on the quality of the assays being used.

If the levels of sensitivity are ‘over generous’ then in all probability the tests will not  be ‘fit for purpose’

Whilst most drug tests do what the manufacturers claim they can do the key question should be ‘is it sufficient’ to provide evidence whether the donor is impaired by drugs.

Although the government guidance is not making a judgement based on the recommended cut off levels to determine if an individual is impaired, it is a very good standard to work with and is likely to be the UK standard for all drug testing.

Drugalyser® technology

Drugalyser® is the technology that has given us the edge on the drug testing industry for over 10 years.

This drug testing technology is designed to meet exacting standards of sensitivity and accuracy.  It is a system designed to enable it to meet UK government requirements for road safety and at the same time being fit for purpose in the safety critical industries.

Drugalyser launched for UK drivers

Employee Drug Testing

The new standards will for the first time enable employers to introduce drug testing which is based on independent government standards.  This will then avoid disputes as to what is a reasonable level of sensitivty.

For further advice call our national help line: 01274 591792

Friendly expert advice.

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Oral Fluid drug tests

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

Newly launched oral fluid drug test.

Back to the lab oral fluid drug tests

Recently launched as an alternative test to the former popular Altrix oral fluid lab test is the new Draeger DCD 5000 oral fluid back to the lab drug test.

Single swab

Specifically designed for forensic applications, the Dräger DCD 5000 has been developed for evaluating the presence of various drugs including the following drugs and their metabolites:-

Drugs Detected

amphetamine, opiates, benzodiazepine, delta-9-tetrahydrocanabinol, cocaine and metabolites, methamphetamine and morphine.

The Dräger DCD 5000 oral fluid drug test.

Shows minimal variance in the volume of the sample collected, and due to the very high recovery rate it is possible to make semi-quantitative  conclusions relating to the concentration of the analyte found within the sample at the time of collection.

Dräger DCD 5000 Oral Fluid Collection Kit

This quick and simple oral fluid (saliva) collection kit allows for a non-invasive approach to collection for future analysis.

The Dräger DCD 5000 is designed to collect and hold a sample of Approximately 0.4ml of oral fluid so that the sample can then be sent for further analysis.

The Dräger DCD 5000 is particularly useful when collecting, storing and transporting an oral fluid drug test sample to a laboratory.

A and B samples

If two seperate drug test samples are required, this can be achieved simply by combining two devices and a simultaneous “double sample” can be collected.

A and B samples

After taking the samples, the collection devices can again be seperated, independently sealed within transport tubes and analyzed seperately, offering a particularly undiluted, non-chemically treated, sample spit approach.

Sample Extraction.

Additionally, sample extraction by the laboratory has also been simplified with a patented sample ejector also minimizing the infection risk of laboratory personnel.

Sample ejector

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Oral Fluid Drug Testing

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Oral fluid drug testing.

Is an ideal method of drug testing for ’cause’ as it is capable of providing an ‘under the influence’ result which is important for workplace drug testing procedures.

There are considerable advantages over traditional urine drug tests:

Advantages Oral Fluid Drug Testing :

  • Easy to administer with no gender issues
  • Difficult to cheat
  • Hygienic and non-embarrassing process
  • Rapid results enabling managers to make safety capability decisions
  • Ideal for the workplace where ‘capability’ is the issue and not lifestyle
  • Detects very recent use
  • Positive samples can be easily confirmed by laboratory analysis.

Next Generation Oral Fluid Drug Testing

The Orascan ‘mouthwash’ is the latest in oral fluid drug testing technology and only available here.  This unique and non-invasive process gathers a sample of oral fluid from the mouth by means of a non-toxic pleasant mouthwash.  The mouth sample is then expelled into a cup and sent for laboratory analysis.  This simple process avoids messy urines, complicated and intrusive mouth swabs and inadequate sweat patches.

The nature of the Orascan mouth wash means there is only ONE SAMPLE collected (sub-divided into: 2-A and B) to analyse and therefore avoiding problems of potential ‘false negative/positive’ from different swabs.

Orascan test

Orascan test

Oral Fluid drug tests can be used to detect:

  • Heroin

  • Cocaine / Crack

  • Methadone

  • Cannabis

  • Amphetamines

  • Ecstasy

    UKAS laboratory

    Our UKAS approved laboratory is the largest privately owned laboratory in the UK and has 28 laboratories and centres across Europe as well as sites in India, China and the US.  It is the 2nd biggest provider of services to UK Police Forces outside the Home Office FSS.   It is also a Linkup approved laboratory.

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Oral fluid drug tests Point of care Test

By using a simple swab and cassette a rapid on-site drug test can be used for a fast result thereby avoiding unnecessary and laboratory tests except where confirmation are required.:

See a simple demonstration of the process below.

Oral Fluid Rapid test:

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