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Facts About False Positive Drug Test Results

Have you watched the Seinfeld episode where Elaine is testing positive for opiates and it turns out she is eating poppy seed muffins – yes, this is a false positive.

A 2003 study found that eating poppy seeds could be detectable on some drug tests. The key word is some drug tests but also one needs to look at the drug test process being used. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has raised the cut-off levels to test positive for opiates from 300 ng/,l to 2000 ng/ml back 1998. So today testing positive for opiates based on the consumption of poppy seeds would not happen with the correct testing process.

The proper way to drug test is to utilize the procedures outlined in Federal Regulations to include:
1) Specimen collection by a trained collector
2) Specimen Validity Testing at the Lab
3) Initial Screening for drugs and drug metabolites
4) Confirmation testing of every drug or metabolite that screens positive
5) Review and verification of every non-negative laboratory result by a Medical Review Officer (MRO)

When using this process outlined above, there will not be any false positive drug test results and the test results will be legally defensible. When not using the process above, an employer will risk liability in potentially reporting a false positive.

Why is Confirmation Testing so Important?

A screening only result commonly indicates that a class of drugs is positive, not necessarily which specific drug or metabolite t triggered the positive. Another disadvantage with screening tests is that they are more likely to give false test results due to lack of sensitivity and specificity. A false positive occurs when the screen is positive, but the drug is not actually present. False positives often occur when drugs present in the sample are chemically related to the target drug. Confirmation testing will eliminate the false positives because of testing for the specific drug or metabolite and providing a quantitative level of the drug or metabolite present in the specimen at the time of collection.

Looking to make sure you are negative for drug tests, Order a Drug Test Today!

For more info on the drug testing industry, drug and alcohol testing regulations and upcoming changes, and a whole lot more visit the NDS Blog regularly: http://www.NationalDrugScreening.com

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