Competency information
Details
Perform the analyses to laboratory standard operating procedures for drugs of abuse testing, including:
- screening protocols
- confirmation tests.
Considerations
- A selection of methods available for drugs of abuse analysis in both screening and confirmation testing and the advantages/disadvantages of each method.
- Use of the following techniques:
- immunoassay
- POCT
- thin layer chromatography
- gas chromatography
- high performance liquid chromatography
- mass spectrometry.
- Medico-legal considerations.
- Specimen collection according to ‘chain of custody’ requirements.
- Methods used to establish sample integrity and adulteration.
- Screening and confirmation protocols, including qualitative, semi-quantitative and quantitative analysis.
- Range of drugs commonly abused.
- Metabolism of drugs commonly abused (including opiates and amphetamines).
- Testing of patients on opiate maintenance or withdrawal therapy (methadone, buprenorphine).
- Signs and symptoms of acute toxicity with identification of cases requiring urgent intervention and offer clinical advice on follow-up and/or further management.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 | Outcome Perform a range of laboratory techniques used in the workplace to monitor therapeutic drug concentrations. |
| # 3 | Outcome Perform a range of laboratory and point-of-care techniques to investigate drugs of abuse and other toxic substances in cases of acute poisoning, and understand the clinical context in which such techniques can be useful. |
| # 4 | Outcome Decide the testing strategy for the investigation of patients taking drugs of abuse in the correct clinical and legal context. |