Study Finds Oral Fluid Drug Test Results Comparable to Urine Testing

December 2008

According to a recent large-scale study, laboratory-based oral fluid drug testing results are comparable to urine drug testing positive rates for the same classes of drugs. Results of the study, which was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, were presented by J. Michael Walsh, Ph.D., on October 29 at the annual meeting of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists in Phoenix.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which drugs can you detect in oral fluid?

Orapoint's on-site technology detects 96% of drugs typically tested for and detected in the workplace, including prescription pain relievers such as Oxygen (Oxycontin®, Percoset®, etc.), and Ecstasy. Our OraPointLab screens for more drugs than competitive processes such as Intercept®.   For example, our OraPoint12 includes propoxyphene, barbiturates, benzodizepines, methadone, methaqualone, in addition to other drugs. Both our on-site, and laboratory processes screen for drugs currently abused in the workplace, vs. traditional "NIDA-5" or SAMHSA testing which tests for drugs based upon 20 year old practices.

2. How does the detection window for oral fluid testing compare with other methods?

Just like traditional urine testing, the window in oral fluid testing is different for each drug. However, unlike urine testing, oral fluid testing can be used to identify recent usage - commonly detecting drugs within minutes of consumption.  For most drugs, the window of detection in oral fluid is about one-to-three days. By contrast, urine testing relies on drug metabolites retained in the body's waste supply and typically can not detect drugs until six hours or more post consumption.

3. What methodology do you employ?

Oral fluid samples are screened on-site via lateral flow immunoassay technology. Laboratory testing can be quantitative (LC/MS/MS), or screened using enzyme immunoassay technology, proven reliable for routine drug testing, and used for traditional urine-based testing.  Any samples that screen non-negative are  subjected to gas chromatography / mass spectrometry / mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS), or LC/MS/MS, the latest, most sensitive in drug confirmation technology.

4. How is the data reported?

Results are logged into Navigent3's exclusive Internet information system and reported to the client via INTERNET, email, or fax.

5. Can an oral fluid test be beaten (substituted / adulterated)?

We have studied a wide range of adulterants and have not found any to be effective. With oral fluid, unlike urine, specimen collection can be routinely directly observed, that donors can not introduce something onto the sample and/or collection vial.

6. Who collects the sample?

The donor collects his or her own sample under direct visual supervision by placing the collection device in his or mouth. The entire collecting process takes about three minutes. 

7. How much does it cost?

Oral fluid based drug testing is typically significantly less than traditional urine testing. Sample collection can be done at the work location, thus there is minimal impact upon productivity - reduced cost of collections, scheduling fees, and the time lost for employees to travel to collection sites.

8. What is the turnaround time?

On-site results are available within ten minutes. Laboratory samples are sent via overnight courier, and reported within 48 hours of receipt (normal business days, excluding holidays). 

9. Is oral fluid a hazardous fluid?

No. OSHA  and the CDC do not consider oral fluid collections hazardous, unless there is visible blood in the sample. Oral fluid specimens are not typically subject to the same handling and disposal issues that face other body fluids.

10. How do you know if you have enough sample to test?

For on-site tests, you will being to see fluid flow across the test window.

For laboratory tests, simply fill the vial to the indicated line.

11. What are the components of the Navigent3 Drug Free Workplace System?

The Navigent3 Drugs of Abuse Screening System is comprised of the OraPoint on-site drug drug screen,  the Navigent3 INTERNET software, and a wide range of implementation and support services, creating an automated, web-based drug testing solution.

12. What are the benefits of the Navigent3 INTERNET information system?

The Navigent3 IIS is designed to eliminate unnecessary manual steps in the drug testing process - saving time, saving money, and improving service levels to clients. By creating a digital chain of custody form, integrated with electronic data exchange with the laboratory and MRI, Navigent IIS virtually eliminates all the errors and waste caused by the printing, faxing, delivery, storage, postage, data entry, and manual completion of forms. These manual processes represent $3-$5 of cost per test can be eliminated with a paperless system. More importantly, the digital system assures compliance with all business processes.

Navigent IIS is a total solution program management portal and dashboard, representing he most advanced drug free workplace software of it's kind, featuring test event scheduling, random program administration, drug free workplace education and training information, and sophisticated customer report generation.

13. How long does it take to get results with Navigent3 drug free workplace system? 

The Navigent3 testing process takes approximately 10 to 15 to minutes including specimen collection on-site. Data is transmitted over secure network while testing is being performed. This automates and accelerates the hiring process by providing negative drug test results to the client's desktop within 15-minutes of test completion.

More importantly, integrated on-site testing and management assures a safer workplace for employees.

14. Can Navigent IIS manage my manual DOT testing processes?
Yes. DOT tests logged into Navigent IIS ensures proper collection steps are followed, however, per regulations, a paper Chain of Custody must accompany the test to the lab.

15. Why is does the Orapoint test for prescription pain relievers such as Oxygen and not the typically NIDA-5 panel?

The value of testing for the NIDA-5 / DOT-5 panel is debatable. Statistics clearly show higher usage for prescription pain releivers, and arguably prescription drug abuse is the most severe threat to workplace safety and health today. Drugs such as PCP are rarely found in the workplace, and represent a drug testing protocol out of step with the times.

16. How accurate is the OraPoint point-of-collection drug testing device as opposed to laboratory EMITII / ELISA and GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS screening/ testing?

 
OraPoint utilizes biochemical assays that are similar to those employed in a laboratory environment. OraPoint it 99% as accurate as the lab-based EMIT II / ELISZA drug screening. All tests that are screened non-negative will be confirmed by GC/MS or LC/MS/MS at CLIA certified laboratories.