Would oral fluid testing work in your workplace? For 30 years, the most widely used testing method has been urine drug testing. Why should you look at oral testing instead? Oral fluid testing detects recent drug use and may also identify current usage that may not be captured by urine testing. While oral Fluid has a shorter detection window depending on the drug/metabolite and usage pattern, recent research has shown that oral screening has a higher positivity rate for almost all drugs.
What are some advantages of oral fluid testing? The industry sees oral fluid drug testing as a reliable testing method. The collection process is always directly observed, which helps reduce the opportunity for a donor to adulterate or tamper with their specimen. Both the urine and oral fluid testing can include specimen validity testing, which tells the laboratory if the sample is “human saliva” or “human urine.” The turnaround time is often quicker; most normal negative oral fluid tests will result back to the client the same day that the lab receives them.
Currently, oral fluid drug testing can only be used by Non-DOT workplaces. However, it is being reviewed as a potentially viable alternative to urine for employees regulated by the Department of Transportation. If you are interested in looking into oral fluid testing, give our office a call! 1.800.452.0030