Drug testing has become pretty common and something that is typically conducted in healthcare settings, workplaces, etc. It doesn’t matter whether you are applying for a job or being part of a workplace screening program; in both instances, it’s of huge importance to get a grasp of anything that will occur once the sample is collected.
There’s a common misconception that the drug testing process is too complex and intimidating, which isn’t true at all. Its main goal is to generate confidential and reliable results. Every single step of this process follows established protocols that are here to maintain the integrity of the testing process.
If you’d like to further explore this topic, then stay tuned because this informative guide is about to do that!
Why Is Drug Testing Necessary?
There are numerous reasons why it is conducted, depending on the situation, of course. Most employers do it because they want to ensure the workplace environment is one hundred percent safe.
This is especially important in landscapes in which people are obligated to work with heavy equipment or do safety-sensitive tasks. Aside from that, there are several other reasons this is executed, and they include the following:
- Pre-employment screening
- Medical supervising
- Random workplace testing
- Court-ordered testing
- Post-accident testing
- Athletic competition demands
- Reasonable suspicion testing
- Return-to-duty testing
Now, there’s no general rule as far as this goes. It may vary depending on the aim; however, the overall steps remain unchanged in most situations.
Joining Forces With Seasoned Testing Providers
Today, you can stumble upon numerous businesses and employers who love teaming with professional testing providers in order to streamline the whole screening process. Speaking of this, National Drug Screening provides services that may encompass scheduling collections, managing chain-of-custody documentation, coordinating laboratory testing, and delivering safe results. Collaborating with professionals from this field helps companies simplify administrative tasks and, at the same time, support compliance with applicable workplace policies and testing procedures.
Having reliable and professional testing partners will affect consistency, too, across different testing locations and employee groups.
The First Step Is Focused On Sample Collection
The first step during this whole process is sample collection, referring to a biological sample. The type of sample depends on the testing program and the substances that are screened. The most common sample types include the following:
- Urine
- Blood
- Saliva (oral fluid)
- Breath (for alcohol testing)
- Hair
Urine testing is probably the most common method utilized for these purposes because it is the most reliable (although it doesn’t mean that others aren’t), it’s pretty affordable, and it’s suitable for most workplace testing programs.
So, what exactly happens during this process? Namely, seasoned personnel follow standardized procedures to make sure the donor’s identity is legit, then move on to explaining the process and ensure the sample is gathered correctly.
What Can Be Said About The Chain Of Custody?
One of the most critical segments of drug testing is maintaining something that’s widely known as the chain of custody. This refers to the documented process of tracking the sample from collection through lab testing, transportation, and final reporting.
Every single person who handles the sample records their involvement, making sure that the sample is labeled the right way, that it’s properly safeguarded during transport, and that it isn’t mixed up with another one.
The main goal of the chain-of-custody procedures is to secure both the individual who is being tested and the testing organization.
Moving On To Laboratory Analysis
As soon as the sample enters the laboratory, trained professionals start the testing process. A vast majority of laboratories will first execute an initial screening that’s supposed to identify if certain substances are present or not.
If by any chance the initial screening showcases a potentially positive result, then an additional confirmatory test is usually executed, employing more advanced analytical methods. The second level of testing is intended to verify the findings, and, concurrently, enhance the accuracy of the final result.
Every lab must adhere to certain control procedures that are quite rigorous to ensure reliable and consistent testing.
Confidentiality Mustn’t Be Overlooked
What must be accentuated is that drug testing includes lots of personal information, meaning that confidentiality must always be prioritized. Authorized personnel thoroughly safeguard testing records, and the final results are typically shared only with individuals or firms that have “the right” to receive them.
As you can see, the drug testing process encompasses a structured series of steps that are here to support confidentiality, reliability, and accuracy. This entire process must be understood if you want to execute everything safely and correctly.
