Specimen Collection
Casual urine
Reference Intervals
REPORT:
The screen is reported as either Detected or Not Detected (qualitative result only).
Uncertainty of Measurement
: 10% at the level of 300 ng/mL.
Turnaround Time: Within 1 day
Availability
:
Drug screens can be performed after hours and on weekends for urgent samples (AED/CED), or if approved by the on-call Chemical Pathologist.
The request form must be clearly marked '
Urgent'
and the laboratory must be alerted by telephone (via Lablink) before the sample is sent.
Assay Method
Principle
: Immunoassay
Diagnostic Use and Interpretation
Drugs detected:
This screening test detects the following amphetamine class drugs: amphetamine, metamphetamine, dexamphetamine, methylenedioxymetamphetamine (MDMA: "ecstasy"), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), pseudoephidrine (in high concentration), ephidrine, and phentermine. The screen does not differentiate between these drugs.
False-positive results may also be seen in patients taking bupropion (Zyban) for nicotine addiction.
If a positive result is found, the specific amphetamine or drug can be determined by liquid chromatography - time of flight (LC-QTOF). This will be performed only during normal working hours.
Clink the link below for more information on Drug screen purposes:
Drug Screen - Evidential purposes
Drug screen- Clinical purposes
Contact Information
Emails to
chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz
will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist.
If the query concerns a specific patient please include the NHI number in your email.
If email is not a suitable option, please contact the on-call chemical pathologist via
Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995).
Individual chemical pathologists may be contacted but will not be available at all times.
After-hours
: contact
Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours.
Dr Samarina Musaad
(Clinical Lead)
:
SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz
ext. 22402
Dr Cam Kyle:
CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz
ext 22052
Dr Weldon Chiu:
WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz
ext. 23427
Dr Campbell Heron:
CHeron@adhb.govt.nz
ext. 23427
Dr Sakunthala Jayasinghe:
Sakunthala@adhb.govt.nz
ext. 23427