How do hospitals drug test

Many sporting officials require urine drug screens to check whether athletes have used performance-enhancing drugs. This is more common in workplaces that require high levels of safety. An employer may be more likely to test a person who operates vehicles or machinery, for example. However, if a person suspects alcohol consumption, they are more likely to request a breath or blood test.

Urine screens can also detect nicotine and cotinine, which the body produces when it breaks down nicotine. An immunoassay IA test is the most common type, because it is the quickest and most cost-effective. However, it can give a false-positive result. This shows the presence of a drug when a person has not used it. A second type of urine screen can confirm the results of an IA test.

The second test is called gas chromatography-mass spectrometry GC-MS. Usually, providers only use GC-MS tests as follow-ups because they are more expensive, and the results take longer to receive. Urine drug screens use cut-off levels. This means that a result will only be positive if the amount of the drug is above a certain level. Having cut-off levels helps prevent false-positive results.

These can occur when a person has not taken an illegal drug, but they have eaten food containing a legal amount of hemp, coca, or opium. For example, eating poppy seeds before a urine drug screen can, in rare cases, cause the test to detect the presence of opium.

Cut-off levels also reduce the chance of a person testing positive after only passive exposure to a drug. Secondhand smoke is one example of passive exposure. These fail to indicate that a person has recently done drugs. A false-negative result can occur if the urine is very diluted. Many factors affect the length of time that a test can detect a certain drug in the body.

These factors include:. If a person uses a drug very frequently or heavily, a urine test will detect the drug for a longer period. For example, the detection times for marijuana can depend on how often a person uses it:. This table shows how long a urine test can detect certain drugs after a person has taken them:. The test requires little preparation. Complete the Test Order Form below to order your test.

To obtain the most accurate results make sure you follow the directions exactly. Depending on your test type, your test results will be emailed to you within 1 to 3 business days. Take a printed copy of this email with the Test Authorization Order to the clinic listed in the email. Bring all of the people involved in the test to the clinic to be tested. The clinic will scan the barcode from the email and will administer your test.

Refunds may be considered at the discretion of ReliaLab Test DNA and may be subject to administrative and handling fees. Partial payments and deposits are non-refundable. No refunds shall be issued if Services have been completed or if your DNA kit or supplies have been shipped. All DNA testing services have an estimated completion time listed on the authorization order and or online and can scientifically never be precise.

Complete the Test Order Form to order your test. Call Today How often do hospitals drug test? Search for:. Urine testing is the most common type of drug screening. The drugs most often tested for include:. Other names: drug screen, drug test, drugs of abuse testing, substance abuse testing, toxicology screen, tox screen, sports doping tests.

Drug screening is used to find out whether or not a person has taken a certain drug or drugs. It may be used for:. You may have to take a drug test as a condition of your employment, in order to participate in organized sports, or as part of a police investigation or court case.

Your health care provider may order drug screening if you have symptoms of drug abuse. These symptoms include:. A drug test generally requires that you give a urine sample in a lab. You will be given instructions to provide a "clean catch" sample. The clean catch method includes the following steps:.

In certain instances, a medical technician or other staff member may need to be present while you provide your sample. For a blood test for drugs, you will go to a lab to provide your sample. During the test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle.

After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes. Be sure to tell the testing provider or your health care provider if you are taking any prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, or supplements because they may give you a positive result for certain illegal drugs. Also, you should avoid foods with poppy seeds, which can cause a positive result for opioids.

There are no known physical risks to having a drug test, but a positive result may affect other aspects of your life, including your job, your eligibility to play sports, and the outcome of a court case. Before you take a drug test, you should be told what you are being tested for, why you are being tested, and how the results will be used. If you have questions or concerns about your test, talk to your health care provider or contact the individual or organization that ordered the test.