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 is a screening test that detects the following opiate class drugs:
-
morphine and 6-monoacetylmorphine
-
codeine and dihydrocodeine
-
hydrocodone
-
hydromorphone
-
pholcodine
The assay does not differentiate between these drugs. If a positive result is obtained, mass spectrometry can be performed to determine the type of opiate present (e.g. morphine, codeine)
The following drugs may cause 'Opiate Detected' immunoassay at high levels
-
naloxone
-
suboxone
-
oxycodone
Confirmation for the presence/absence of other opiate compound would require further definitive analysis. Please contact the Toxicology laboratory if required.
Ingestion of some types of poppy seed cake can produce a positive result.
Drugs not detected by Opiate immunoassay
:
-
Methadone
-
pethidine
-
tramadol
Please request these specifically if required.
Also see Drug Screen (for Clinical Management) and Drug Screen (for Evidential Purposes).
Drug Screen- Clinical management
Drug Screen- Evidential 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