Specimen Collection
Casual urine collect
Minimum volume 2 mL
Turnaround Time: Within 1 day
Weekends and After hours request will need pathologist approval (except for emergency departments)
Diagnostic Use and Interpretation
Drug screening performed for clinical management (following drug overdose or abuse, poisoning, or for detoxification purposes) does not require proof of patient identity or a secure specimen chain of custody procedure, but the test results could not be used later for legal/evidential purposes.
A
urine drug screen
includes the following groups of drugs (although each may be requested separately):
-
Amphetamines and related drugs
-
Opiates
-
Benzodiazepines
-
Cannabis
-
Cocaine
-
Oxycodone
The tests listed above can be performed after hours and on weekends for urgent samples (AED/CED), or if approved by the on-call Chemical Pathologist
In addition, during normal working hours (8am to 4pm, Mon-Fri), a Gas Chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) screen and/or a Liquid Chromatography - time of flight (LC-QTOF) screen will be performed. GC-MS and LC-QTOF are capable of detecting a wide range of drugs, including GHB (gamma hydroxy butyrate). For samples received outside of normal working hours, the GC-MS or LC-QTOF screen will be performed on the next working day. These procedures are not normally available outside of normal working hours, but may be approved in exceptional circumstances, after discussion with the on-call chemical pathologist or Toxicology scientist.
The following are
not
part of the standard drug screen but are available and need to be requested specifically:
-
alcohol
-
methadone metabolite
-
synthetic cannabinoids
-
buprenorphine
For more information, look up the specific drug in this Test Guide or click on the link below
.
Amphetamines
Benzodiazepines
Cannabis
Opiates
Download: Labplus Drug screen info - LabPLUS Urine Drug Screen Info Sheet (1).pdf
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
Specimen Transport Instructions for Referring Laboratories
Casual urine collect
Minimum volume 2 mL
If sending within Auckland then sample can be sent refrigerated (2-8 degrees) or at ambient temperature (8-24 degrees).
If sending from outside Auckland then send sample refrigerated (2-8 degrees).