Origin Diagnostics Drug Testing

http://www.origindiagnostics.com

K2 or Spice

There is a new craze going around America’s youth. It’s called K2 herbal incense. This unique blend of herbal ingredients is becoming very popular among today’s society. Before K2 incense was more of an underground ordeal however in the past 90 days it has grown rapid acknowledgment. It is technically sold as an incense that is meant to be burned without oral consumption. Word has gotten around though that when smoked, similar to the fashion of how people smoke marijuana, it offers the same or similar effects. Many people have actually labeled and coined this type of herb as ’synthetic marijuana’.

This term is quite becoming because that is pretty much exactly what it is. K2 incense by itself is just a variety of herbs including canavalia rosea, clematis vitalba, nelumbo nucifera and a few other botanical herbs that when smoked by themselves would produce no effect. Where K2 gets its added experience is in the synthetic chemical compound that it is sprayed with, JWH-018 which acts as a cannabinoid agonist at both the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the human brain. It produces effects in humans very similar to those of THC itself, but with a longer duration of action. Addiction is very rare, as one test subject used JWH-018 for 8 months straight and withdrawal symptoms were fairly mild.

Although not federal regulated, senators and legislation in various states have tried to pass laws to criminalize the chemical compound or any herb sprayed with it. So far the only two states that have made it illegal to possess or traffic K2 incense are only Kentucky and Kansas. Other countries typically in Europe have also made it illegal. Many people however have voted to control the substance instead of criminalizing it. A majority of people do believe that criminalizing something like this wastes lawmakers time and produces unnecessary criminals in today’s society.

Many employers require drug testing for new and existing employees. To date, K2 does not show up on drug tests, but a testing method will no doubt become available if K2 is declared illegal nationwide. By then it may be too late for many young adults who test positive from frequent long-term use.

http://www.origindiagnostics.com

CLIA refers to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. These amendments were passed by the Congress way back in 1988. These laws stipulate that laboratory testing procedures should ensure timeliness, accuracy and dependability irrespective of the location of the tests.

What is a CLIA waiver?
Every laboratory and home test has its own unique requirements. Certain tests can be highly complex and may require specialized equipment. If these tests satisfy certain conditions they can be exempt or waived from all regulatory procedures. In other words, these tests are cleared by FDA and can be performed at home. Most of these tests are very simple to carry out and use standardized equipment, which makes chances of an inaccuracy impossible. Such tests are referred to as a CLIA waived.
Which tests are CLIA waived?
There are specific tests which have been CLIA waived. These are:
Tests performed for urinalysis using a tablet or a dipstick: These include tests to ascertain the presence of protein, urobilinogen, hemoglobin, bilirubin, nitrite, pH, glucose levels, leukocytes, ketone, specific gravity etc.
- Pregnancy tests: There are many home kits available these days, which make it easy for a woman to determine if she is pregnant.
- Occult blood of the fetus
- Non-automated method of estimating the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation
- Ovulation tests: This involves performing color comparisons visually to ascertain luteinizing hormones
- Non-automated methods of detecting copper sulfate in hemoglobin
- Using glucose measuring mechanisms to ascertain blood glucose levels
Things to keep in mind
In order to have a particular laboratory test get CLIA waived, you need a certificate from the FDA. This certificate has to be issued from the Secretary. If you already have a certificate and it is about to expire, you need to get it renewed. The certificate can be rejected for renewal if your laboratory fails to comply with the regulations stipulated as per the CLIA law. A CLIA waived test should be so easy and simple to perform that even if it is done improperly it does not harm the patient in any manner. In cases where the laboratory application for a CLIA waiver has been disapproved the Secretary will issue a notice of the same. From that date onwards, the certificate will continue to be valid for a period of 60 days or longer if the second application is made in a timely manner.
Factors considered for a CLIA waiver
There are several aspects that are taken into consideration when treating a laboratory test as CLIA waived. Various factors like the quality control being used and method of calibration, processes and examination procedures in use, interpretation mechanisms, how much of independent judgment is required, training needed for instrument usage and operation as well as other associated factors are assessed before passing a test as CLIA waived. Regular inspections will also be conducted by the Secretary to ascertain that the procedures of the laboratory are in strict compliance with the stipulations as per CLIA law. Laboratories, which are accredited as per CLIA laws will be inspected as and when deemed necessary by the Secretary. Those laboratories, which are not accredited will be inspected on a bi-annual basis.

http://www.origindiagnostics.com

The basic drug test used by most corporate drug testing programs is called a Five-Screen (or NIDA-5 or SAMHSA-5) which is testing for five types of drugs:

1. Cannabinoids (Marijuana, Hashish)
2. Cocaine (Cocaine, Crack, Benzoylecognine)
3. Opiates (Heroin, Opium, Codeine, Morphine
4. Amphetamines (Methamphetamines, Speed)
5. Phencyclidine (PCP, Angel Dust)

However, many drug testing firms now offer a Ten-Screen which expands to include five additional drugs:

1. Barbituates (Phenobarbital, Secobarbitol, Pentobarbital, Butalbital, Amobarbital)
2. Methaqualone (Qualuudes)
3. Benzodiazepines (Tranquilizers-Diazepam, Valium, Librium, Ativan, Xanax, Clonopin, Serax, Halcion, Rohypnol)
4. Methadone
5. Propoxyphene (Darvon compounds)

http://www.origindiagnostics.com

The detection times in urine are significantly greater than detection times in blood, which is also generally much more expensive. The presence of a drug or drugs in urine does not provide information as to whether the individual is actually under the influence at any particular time. Likewise, no determination can be made from urine as to the amount of the dose or the time of the dose.

Blood testing, on the other hand may provide more suitable information about whether or not an individual is “under the influence”, though this may not be conclusive in all cases.

Urine drug testing accuracy is variable depending on how the testing is done. Drug testing is extremely accurate and reliable when all aspects of the testing process are done properly. On the other hand, the information obtained may be very misleading and inaccurate when poor procedures or testing methods are utilized. Drug testing will only be reliable when the consumer knows how it should be done and then demands from the industry that it is done properly.

http://www.origindiagnostics.com

Chain of custody is the term used to describe the process of ensuring and providing documentation of proper specimen identification and handling from the time of specimen collection to the reporting of laboratory results. If laboratory results were to be legally challenged, the ability to prove that the specimen was handled according to strict chain of custody procedures is essential. The chain of custody protocol assures the specimen belongs to the individual whose information is printed on the specimen container label, no post-collection adulteration or tampering has taken place, exactly who had possession of the specimen and when, how the specimen was transported and stored before it was analyzed, no unauthorized access to the specimen was possible, and the specimen was handled in a secure manner.

http://www.origindiagnostics.com

Recently there has been extensive research on the use of saliva in drug testing. A person’s saliva has certain advantages and certain disadvantages when comparing the use of urine in testing for the presence of drugs. The most obvious advantage is simply that the collection procedure is easier and less prone to possible efforts to beat the drug test by substituting a clean drug test sample as is sometimes the case in urine drug testing. The ease at which a person’s saliva can be tested make  saliva drug tests less invasive than other forms of drug testing. The collection of saliva for saliva drug tests is easier and safer when compared to urine or blood.

It simply involves using a swab that looks very similar to a common toothbrush but in place of bristles a pad that servers, to collect the saliva in the mouththe pad is then placed between the lower cheek and gum for about two minutes. Once saturated with saliva the pad is then transfered to a collection vial. Many of the most commonly abused drugs can be detected in saliva including marijuana, thc, heroin, cocaine and amphetamines.
However there are disadvantages and those mostly relate to the short drug detection time limitation of saliva drug tests.
Simply put saliva cannot be used to detect historical drug use.
Most drugs do not linger in saliva and disappear in anywhere from twelve to twenty four hours. Because of this saliva testing is being considered for drug detection in situations where recent drug use must be detected including vehicle and equipment drivers, those involved in workplace or other accidents and not as a use to detect past drug use.
What is saliva? The actual medical definition of saliva is oral liquids produced by the many saliva glands in the human anatomy. The average adult produces in excess of one thousand millileters of saliva on a daily basis.
How reliable are saliva drug tests? An extensive study by the University of Utah in Salt Lake City concludes that it is a reliable method for drug detection. The universities’ Center for Human Toxicology concluded that drug use and drug concentrations can be determined by analyzing saliva.

http://www.origindiagnostics.com

It is a screening device. One of the best ways to protect your business is to aggressively screen out alcohol or drug abusers before they become employees. Drug tests can help pinpoint those who are dependent on alcohol and drugs.
It is a defensive tool. Giving applicants a drug test protects your company from negligent hiring claims arising from violence or safety violations. It is also true that drug abusers tend to avoid firms that test.
It may be a legal requirement. For certain safety-sensitive positions and occupations, drug and alcohol testing of applicants is mandated by federal or state law.

http://www.origindiagnostics.com

Drug testing amongst employees is carried out by employers in order to find out about problems related to drug addiction amongst their employees. As the problem of drug addiction is a very serious one which affects the professional life of a person, it is in the best interests of the company to find out if any of their employees are indulging in any drug related malpractices.

Though drug testing requires an initial investment by the company, the benefits it provides are many. Most companies follow a two pronged strategy; they screen all new recruits for drug abuse, and also carry out random checks among their existing team members. As drug abuse spreads like cancer, it is better to find out the root of the problem, if it exists, and remove it as soon as possible. This will lead to a much healthier working environment at the organization. Absenteeism due to drug abuse related diseases will be reduced. Problems arising out of accidents at the workplace and also that of turnover will be reduced. As a combination of the above factors the productivity of the company goes up and as a result it enhances the profit margins of the company.

http://www.origindiagnostics.com

Ketamine: Ketamine, also known as special K, K, vitamin K, and fort dodge, is a derivative of PCP (a powerful psychedelic drug) that has become increasingly popular. Although more difficult to produce than PCP, users can obtain large, inexpensive quantities from veterinary pharmacies in Mexico. Ketamine is commonly used in hospitals for sedation and pain relief.

• What it looks like: Ketamine is abused in clubs and other social situations. Most often, ketamine is inhaled, but it may also be injected into muscle or fat just below the skin or placed into the rectum. It has also been used to ease the crash associated with cocaine or amphetamine binges.
• What it does: Ketamine increases blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tone, and salivation. The clinical effects begin within minutes and last up to an hour. Overdose, which is often referred to as falling into a “K hole,” is common. Overdose is characterized by severe brain-body dissociation, or inability to sense what the environment is really like, and vomiting, restlessness, and tiredness. Ketamine can also produce an emergence reaction resulting in nightmares, floating sensation, visual and hearing disturbances, out-of-body experiences, agitation, and confusion that last up to a day after drug use. During this time, users are not necessarily asleep and usually remember the event.
• Harmful effects: Although the long-term effects of ketamine abuse have not been well studied, it is suggested that out-of-body experiences may recur even without additional use of the drug, and psychosis (severe mental instability) from chronic use may occur.

http://www.origindiagnostics.com

The federal government estimates that 71 percent of illegal drug users are employed, most working for small businesses.

It is estimated that employee drug use costs American employers over $100 billion each year. If you don’t have an employee drug screening program, you’re costing your company money.

Costs without Drug Screening:
Increased employee absenteeism
(66 percent higher absenteeism among drug users)
Costs in accidents and damages
(5 times more likely to file a workers’ compensation claim)
Increased costs for health care
(health benefit utilization is 84 percent greater in dollar terms)
Losses due to employee theft/fraud (disciplinary actions are 90 percent higher among drug users)

Benefits of Drug Screening:
Fewer accidents
Fewer disciplinary actions
Reduced losses due to absenteeism, theft, and fraud
Lower costs due to losses and errors
Reduced costs of insurance claims
Decreased legal costs and costs of hiring and training new employees
Earlier identification and resolution of problems affecting job performance