Drug testing and screening methods

Concateno provides a variety of testing methods to suit the needs of individual customers.

Screening tests

The first test on a sample is typically a screening test based on immunoassay. This can be carried out using an instant test or in a laboratory.
Screening tests are used to identify negative results. Positive or non-negative screening results may require a more detailed confirmation test.

Confirmation tests

Samples that give a positive response to a screening test may require further testing to identify the specific drugs present. Confirmation tests, using GCMS (gas chromatography/mass-spectrometry) or LCMS (liquid chromatography/mass-spectrometry), can provide fully defensible results for a court of law or industrial tribunal. They can only be carried out in the laboratory and are the ‘Gold Standard’ in drug testing.

Point of care tests

Point of care tests are sometimes called POCT or instant tests. They are screening tests that can be used on site and give a result in minutes. There are instant tests available for urine and oral fluid samples.

Laboratory analysis

The alternative to instant tests is to send a sample to the laboratory for testing. Screening and confirmation testing is available for oral fluid, urine and hair. The results of the laboratory test can be returned via email, fax or downloaded from our secure website.

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