Posts Tagged ‘saliva test’

Nicotine Tests

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Nicotine tests

Nicotine tests are important diagnostic tools in respect of any smoking cessation strategy.

Point-of-care nicotine tests

POC nicotine tests provide valuable evidence of nicotine inhalation.

They can provide both qualitative and quantitative accurate results of recent inhalation of nicotine. Ideal for monitoring smoking cessation programmes, insurance assessments and health screening.

Nicotine use

Nicotine use through cigarette smoking is a major health problem. In addition, passive inhalation of secondary smoke by non-smokers is also dangerous to health.

More than 80,000 UK deaths are attributed to smoking ever year, costing the NHS £2.7 billion a year. Bio-feedback by individuals and screening/monitoring programmes by healthcare professionals can easily be undertaken using Point-of-care tests for cotinine a by-product of nicotine using Nicoscreen(R) detectable in either urine or saliva.

As well as affecting insurance premiums, smoking in the workplace can have legal implications.

Pre-employment screening tests for Nicotine

Nicotine Testing is often a requirement of pre-employment screening.
On July 1st 2007, England introduced a new law to make virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England smoke free.

Nicoscreen_Testing_Diagram

NicoScreen® Product Update
See a PDF Nicoscreen® information sheet here

NicoScreen® is ISO 9001/ISO 13485 compliant

A smoke free England ensures a healthier environment, so everyone can socialise, relax, travel, shop and work free from second-hand smoke.

The technology now exists to screen individuals to ascertain if they are smokers by using the

NicoScreen® test - recommended by major insurance companies and clinics.

NicoScreenNicoscreen leaflet

Nicoscreen® is the near-patient diagnostic test used to detect Cotinine in bodily fluids up to 3 days after the body has absorbed the substance.

Nicoscreen® is a very cost effective simple test that requires minimum equipment, gives an instant result and can be conducted by non-medical personnel.

The Nicoscreen® COT test is based on the principle of the highly specific immunochemical reactions between antigens and antibodies, which are used for the analysis of specific substances in urine. The sample is dropped onto a cassette and the assay reacts within 5 minutes providing preliminary evidence of nicotine use.

MHS is the only company to offer the NicoScreen® brand that can be used in the home, smoking cessation clinics, pre-employment screening agencies, for occupation health screening and insurance screening.

MHS can also offer a bespoke health and substance screening programme using trained medical staff located across the UK.

SmokeScreen®

SmokeScreen® is a rapid colorimetric test which detects nicotine and all its breakdown products, with a positive sample turning a pink/orange colour.The test can be used in three ways: observing a colour change will tell whether the sample is from a smoker or not. This test takes 6-minutes.

SmokeScreen® is the world’s first quantitative rapid oral fluid test for smoking.

Smokescreen cotinine saliva test

Smokescreen cotinine saliva test

Oral fluid Smokescreen

The very latest development in

point of care testing is the nicotine saliva test

that provides evidence of smoking via a sample of saliva and a color chart.

This hygienic 10 mins point of care test is very easy to use and cannot be cheated.  It provides quantitative evidence of smoking MHS_SalivaSmokescreen

Now available as a saliva test  Oral Fluid Smokescreen insert

Developed at the University of Birmingham (UK) and backed up by extensive clinical evaluations, it provides an easy-to-use approach to identify smokers correctly and monitor changes in their behaviour. As the social opposition to smoking increases then the likelihood of denial by smokers when questioned by healthcare professionals increases, especially if penalties exist if they smoke.

Biochemical tests are required to overcome the problems with self-reported smoking. Several tests exist to verify smoking, but SmokeScreen® is quick, very sensitive and inexpensive . Potential customers include the insurance industry, smoking cessation clinics and the vast majority of healthcare workers who treat smoking-related diseases.

“Modern Health Systems Ltd is the ideal company to promote and distribute SmokeScreen®. This test complements their current range of products, especially the tests for drugs of abuse. The company’s specialty of providing training and support to companies and organizations that tests their employees or clients for drug use could benefit from using SmokeScreen® to reduce the use of tobacco along with other addictive substances.

Modern Health Systems Ltd is a company with excellent management credentials and a first-rate track-record in the rapidly expanding field of medical diagnostics. Their ambitious attitude and strong management supports Medical Health Systems Ltd as the ideal company to promote SmokeScreen®.”

Dr G. Cope PhD
Birmingham University

Dr Graham Cope has degrees from London, Manchester and Leeds in biological sciences, pharmacology and a PhD in biochemical toxicology. As an academic at the University of Birmingham he worked on the causes of smoking-related diseases and became an expert in the measurement of nicotine intake. He is known as a leading authority on the subject intake and recently spoke at the International Conference on Tobacco at Helsinki, Finland. The pharmacological effects of nicotine are similar to other abused drugs and Dr Cope has a wide appreciation of drug related illness and effects.

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Drug Testing

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

MHS is the UK’s leading drug testing service.

Approved (ISO 9001:2008 ) for the project management of a comprehensive and wide range of drug testing solutions to substance misuse in the workplace.

MHS offer a range of non invasive rapid drug tests that can provide comprehensive evidence of employee drug taking.   Samples can also be sent direct to our laboratory for rapid screening and confirmation  for the following:

Oral Fluid Drug Testing

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

‘I was very impressed with the drugalyser® oral fluid drug test recently launched by MHS.  The very sensitive cut off levels for cannabis and ease of use make it the clear UK market leader.  I have no hesitation in recommending MHS drug tests and services to all our clients.’  Richard Crosse MD   UKASS

Hair Drug Tests

Hair drug testing reveals the extent of drug misuse over weeks and months.   Substance misuse leaves evidence in the hair follicles that can be analysed after lengthy periods, demonstrating abstinence of ingestion during the intervening period

Nicotine saliva test

The point-of-care Nicotine Saliva Test provides evidence of smoking via a sample of saliva and a color chart. This hygienic 10 mins point of care test is very easy to use and cannot be cheated.  It provides quantitative evidence of smoking MHS_SalivaSmokescreen

Urine Drug Testing

MHS offers a fully accredited workplace sample collection service for urine drug testing or oral fluid drug testing samples.

Substance Misuse and Occupational Health

Our consultancy services are accessible and friendly and also ISO 9001 accredited as a professional and quality service. We help our clients fully understand the benefits and pitfalls of drug testing and provide independent guidance on what methods and testing will best suit their needs.  Because we are independent our clients can be assured of honest advice and ongoing support. We believe our experts are the best in the UK and we have never been challenged on that claim. Here are some of the options available:

Drug awareness training for managers and staff

  • In-house sample collection/chain of custody training
  • National sample collection service using ‘Chain of Custody’ protocols
  • Counselling and Support
  • Managing drug services
  • Sample Collection Service

    We care about our clients.

  • Policy development service.

  • Our uniquely comprehensive service process includes four Major Phases – Assessment and Policy Formation, Implementation, Remedial Support and Ongoing Review and Policy Validation. Each of these Phases is expanded below:

    • Assessment and Policy Formation
    • Needs Assessment and Outcomes Determination
    • Organisational Risk Assessment and Diagnosis
    • Policy Formation and Expert Legal Scrutiny
    • Preparation of Policy Cascade and Publicity Material

    Drug and Alcohol Policy Implementation

    • Policy Rollout and Briefings
    • Manager Training on Policy Implementation and Skills
    • Employee and Family Awareness Raising Events
    • Targeted non invasive Substance Screening where required
    • Management of Screening results and the Strategic Planning of Support

    Remedial Support

    • Support Intervention Planning and Liaison Arrangements
    • Roll-out and Publicity for Self-Referred Confidential Counselling access
    • Individual Treatment and Testing Options
    • Ongoing access by free phone to Individual or Group counselling support
    • Service Reporting and Manager /Occupational Health Liaison

    Ongoing Review and Policy Validation of drug policy

    • Annual Review
    • Periodic Targeted Follow up Screening
    • Policy Validation Report

    Meet the MHS Team here.

    “A highly professional and reliable service that cares about its clients”

    Les Vasey MD.,BA., frmr Ch Supt West Yorks Police

    Call us now for expert advice   01274 591792

    Friendly expert advice.