It is probably a safe prediction to say that the day is not far distant when using a SAMHSA- certified laboratory to conduct oral fluid testing will be considered by many to be the preferred method, in much the same way that using a certified lab to test for urine has been the preferred way for three decades.
Split specimen collections are required.
Either serial or simultaneous collections using two collection devices constitute a split oral fluid collection. According to the OFMG:
Te collector collects at least 1 mL of undiluted (neat) oral fluid in a collection device designated as ‘A’ (primary) and at least 1 mL of undiluted (neat) oral fluid in a collection device designated as ‘B’ (split) either simultaneously or serially (i.e., using two devices or using one device and subdividing the specimen)...
What Must
Laboratories Know? Te easy answer to this question is “a lot.” While not all laboratories will choose to offer OFMG-compliant oral fluid drug testing, those that do must become certified by successfully going through a very similar and equally rigorous process required of labs that offer urine drug testing. In other words, the certification process is not a proverbial “walk in the park.” And that’s good news for employers and drug testing providers who have come to trust and rely on the SAMHSA- lab certification as a quasi “good housekeeping” seal of approval. Laboratories certified to conduct oral
fluid tests must test for marijuana and cocaine, and are authorized to test for opioids, amphetamines, and phencyclidine. On a case-by-case basis when certain requirements are met, typically involving reasonable suspicion or post-accident testing, a specimen may be tested for any drugs listed in Schedule I or II of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Also, laboratories will use SAMHSA-
approved cut-off levels designed to show the presence of drugs in a manner similar to urine cut-off levels. Te cut-off level for THC was a topic of much discussion prior to the issuance of the final guidelines.
12 datia focus
According to the OFMG, the initial screen cut-off level for marijuana is 4 ng/mL and 2 ng/mL for confirmation tests. Remember, with oral fluid tests labs are detecting the parent drug (the drug itself), whereas with urine labs are typically detecting a metabolite of the drug; hence, the ability to detect “recent use” with oral fluids. It is probably a safe prediction to say
that the day is not far distant when using a SAMHSA-certified laboratory to conduct oral fluid testing will be considered by many to be the preferred method, in much the same way that using a certified lab to test for urine has been the preferred way for three decades.
What Must MROs Know? When reading the OFMG, it is clear that protecting the integrity of the testing process and ensuring the accuracy of reported results were of paramount importance to SAMHSA during the development of the guidelines. As is the case with urine drug testing, MROs play a critical role in the OFMG. In some ways, not a lot has changed
for MROs except for the fact that they will be verifying results from a completely different drug testing method. So, there is much in the way of added responsibilities. As such, MROs must learn the details of the OFMG and everything related to reviewing and verifying oral fluid test results. For employers and providers who may
still be on the fence regarding lab-based oral fluid drug testing, consider the following regarding the role of MROs:
Te OFMG require that MROs: (1) Review the information on the MRO copy of the Federal CCF that was received from the collector and the report received from the HHS-certified laboratory or HHS-certified IITF; (2) Interview the donor when required; (3) Make a determination regarding the
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