Drug testing benefits companies by reducing health issues, costs and absenteeism, protecting equipment and ensuring a safe workforce. However, implementing a drug-free workplace requires an understanding of the different types of drug testing methods. Employers must test safety-sensitive employees at certain points, such as pre-employment and when there is reasonable suspicion. Reasonable suspicion testing may also be conducted after an accident resulting in injury, death or property damage exceeding a certain monetary amount.
Urinalysis
Urine tests are one of the most common types of drug testing to detect drug abuse. They are often required for federal employees in safety-sensitive roles and those working in industries regulated by the Department of Transportation. To take a urine test, you’ll need to provide a urine sample in the presence of a trained administrator. If you’re using the “clean catch” approach, you’ll wash your hands and clean your genitals before collecting your urine in a clean container. These samples are then sent to a lab for analysis, which can screen for the presence of a wide range of prescription and illegal drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines/methamphetamines, opiates, and PCP. Some urine tests also screen for fentanyl and its metabolites to indicate the use of this extremely dangerous opioid. If you receive a positive result, you may be required to take a confirmatory test with more specific methods. This will allow a licensed Medical Review Officer (MRO) to interpret the results and compare them against your medical history to ensure accuracy.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are the most invasive drug tests and require a vein to be drawn. They can detect a variety of drugs and alcohol. This test is often used for employees suspected of being under the influence post-treatment to ensure treatment adherence or after a workplace accident. These tests can detect the presence of metabolite residues left behind after the effects of drugs wear off. A positive result means a specific drug or substance was consumed within the test’s detection window. Random drug testing is an effective tool to help prevent unsafe behavior in the workplace. It can be conducted in addition to other test types or as a standalone. Employees who fail the test can be referred to EAPs or for disciplinary action, depending on the company’s drug safety policy. Companies also increasingly use instant on-site screening kits that provide results within minutes. These are particularly useful for federal and safety-sensitive industries regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT). However, these results must be confirmed in an HHS-certified laboratory.
Hair Tests
Hair tests are another method used to test for drugs in the workplace. These tests are more detailed than urine tests, as they offer insights into long-term drug use patterns and provide a window of detection up to 90 days. The hair test is also difficult to cheat or tamper, making it harder to get around positive results. Hair samples are collected from the scalp using scissors and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The lab tests the model for the presence of drug metabolites, using cutoff levels to determine whether the sample is negative or positive. Confirmatory tests, usually gas or liquid chromatography, are conducted to identify specific metabolites and provide more comprehensive results. Random drug testing in the workplace effectively reduces accidents and promotes employee health, safety, and productivity. Employers who adopt a drug testing policy demonstrate their dedication to the well-being of employees and can cultivate a culture of trust and high performance. Implementing this program is an excellent deterrent to drug abuse trends and showcases the company’s commitment to meeting legal and regulatory requirements.
Saliva Tests
Saliva tests, also known as mouth swab drug tests or oral fluids tests, are an easy-to-administer, less invasive sampling method that can detect the presence of drugs in an applicant or employee’s system. Employers use these tests for various reasons, including pre-employment screening, random testing, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident drug testing. Since most substances do not remain in the saliva as long as in blood or urine, a mouth swab test is typically only useful when looking for recent substance abuse. Lab-based saliva testing is gaining popularity as a preferred sampling method. The testing process can be conducted on-site using an instant saliva POCT device, and results are available within minutes of sample collection. It is a more cost-effective, less invasive, and quicker process than a urine test. Plus, it eliminates the need for a bathroom facility, makes it harder to adulterate a specimen by substituting it with another, and reduces the chance of “shy bladder” problems that may occur during urine sampling. These attributes make saliva testing popular among employers, employees, and unions.
Urine Dip Tests
Urine dip tests determine the presence of different substances in a urine sample. These tests include nitrite, leukocyte esterase, protein, ketone, pH, concentration/specific gravity, and bilirubin. These tests take only a few minutes and require minimal patient discomfort. The test strips must be allowed to equilibrate at room temperature before removing them from the pouch and immersing them vertically in the urine specimen for one second. After a few seconds, compare the strip to the color chart on the package to get your results. Using a watch with a second hand is important to ensure the colors don’t mix as you read the results. A urine dipstick can detect the presence of many substances, including bacteria that cause a urinary tract infection (UTI). It can also indicate whether a person’s kidneys are healthy. However, a dipstick test is not a complete diagnostic tool; it does not identify all infections and may provide inaccurate results depending on the standard used. Further, the test can be affected by certain medicines.
