Oral Fluid Drug Testing
Accredited Drug Testing offers lab based oral fluid drug testing for employers and individuals in need of an oral fluid drug test. Whether you need a test for employment purposes, court ordered, random, probation or any other reason, our customer service department is ready to assist. Our nationwide network of testing centers offers convenient and cost-effective options for your drug testing program. Detection period for oral fluid testing up to 10 hours from recent use.
DOT Oral Fluid Testing Coming Soon!
Upon final device and laboratory testing approval, Accredited Drug Testing will conduct at all testing centers nationwide, DOT Oral Fluid drug testing. Did you know, on May 2, 2023 the Department of Transportation published the Federal Register FR 27596. This rule took effect June 1, 2023. The Oral Fluid testing device is days away from FDA Approval and once the laboratories receive HHS/SAMHSA Approval, Accredited Drug Testing will lead the way in DOT oral fluid testing!
What will this mean for DOT-regulated employers?
Once the oral fluid testing device is FDA approved and at least 2 labs are HHS certified, employers will be allowed to conduct either an oral fluid collection or DOT urine collection for any DOT-regulated drug test. Examples include pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion/cause, post-accident, return to duty or follow up. The option to conduct an oral fluid test will be up to the employer and we recommend employers to review and update their policies and develop standing orders for their collectors/collection sites.
What will this mean for DOT-regulated employers?
Once the oral fluid testing device is FDA approved and at least 2 labs are HHS certified, employers will be allowed to conduct either an oral fluid collection or DOT urine collection for any DOT-regulated drug test. Examples include pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion/cause, post-accident, return to duty or follow-up. The option to conduct an oral fluid test will be up to the employer and we recommend employers to review and update their policies and develop standing orders for their collectors/collection sites.
What is oral fluid drug testing?
Oral fluid/saliva is a clear liquid which is secreted by salivary glands of the mouth and the origins of this testing method are derived from alcohol detection and roadside sobriety testing. Saliva testing is becoming a more popular option for drug test because it provides a non-invasive alternative to a urine or hair drug test. Furthermore, an oral fluid collection is a directly observed collection which makes it less susceptible to a specimen being adulterated.
Is Oral Fluid Drug Testing Accurate?
Any drug testing is accurate when supported by laboratory-based screening and confirmation testing process. In fact, oral fluid testing is tested at a much lower screening level than urine. During an oral fluid test, the laboratory performs an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay commonly referred to as (ELISA) microplate technology. This ELISA screening method provides adequate sensitivity to detect drugs of abuse in oral fluid specimens. All non-negative oral fluid specimens are then analyzed during confirmation testing by mass Spectrometry procedures.
What Drugs Are Screened in an Oral Fluid Drug Test?
There are several options when testing for an oral fluid test. The most common panels available are a 5-panel, 7 panel and 9-panel oral fluid drug test
How Long Will My Results Take?
Negative results for laboratory-based oral saliva test is typically within 24 hours after the specimen has been received at the laboratory. Results for confirmation testing or non-negative results are usually available within an additional 72 hours.
What are some benefits for Oral Fluid Drug Testing?
- Ideal for detecting recent drug abuse. Popular with programs that require convenient, gender-neutral specimen collection. Not used for regulated workplace testing (DOT)
- Ideal for detecting recent drug use (4-24 hours). Estimates depend on the substance, amount, and frequency of use
- Conveniently collected on-location. Specimen directly and easily observed. No gender-specific staff needed
- Minimal chance of specimen adulteration
- Additional oral fluid specimens can be provided immediately, or within minutes when mouth is dry
- Cost-effective when considering collection overhead factors: reduced collection time, no need for gender specific staff, or separate restroom/collection facility
- May be more effective for post-accident and reasonable suspicion testing