Why USDTL requires Forensic Specimen Handling for all but research projects

As you know, the primary specimen handling issues that differentiate a forensic from a clinical toxicology specimen are:

* securing the specimen with a tamper-evident seal
* a documented chain of custody.

A positive test result may do more than affect the newborn’s treatment. Today, a further consequence of a positive newborn toxicology report may involve intervention by the State due to a significant number of jurisdictions requiring reporting of all positive newborn toxicology results. In some instances, these positive results may ultimately lead to termination of parental rights. Therefore, it is very important that all newborn specimens be handled as if they may be litigated. It is this distinct possibility of litigation that is the driving force behind USDTL’s requirement for proper chain-of-custody handling. It is also the reason why CAP-accredited laboratories follow forensic procedures in all areas including newborn toxicology services.

The minimum criteria to ensure the integrity of the chain-of-custody for a specimen is the presence of an intact tamper-evident seal and the signature and date of the collector or the individual that prepared the specimen for send out. A tamper-evident seal is supplied with each USDTL Chain-of-Custoday and Control Form for your convenience. Our concern is in the best interests of our smallest patients.

USDTL attends upwards of fifty conferences a year. It is our way of supporting the communities we serve and touching base with clients old and new.

The month of October is an extraordinary time for us. We will have personnel at nine conferences.
Starting Tuesday, October 9, Kendyll Vanzandt, Client Services Representative will be in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Amway Grand Hotel for the annual CoLap conference.
Thursday, October 11, Gary Bohl, Forensic Account Executive, will be in Newport Beach for the West Coast Behavioral Health and Addiction Disorders conference.
Saturday, October 13, Douglas Lewis, USDTL President and Scientific Director, and Victoria Lewis Marketing Sales Associate, will be in Washington, D.C. for the ASA meeting.
Monday, October 15, Bob Demaree, Clinical Projects Manager, will be in Florida at the FANNP conference. 
Wednesday, October 17th, Kendyll will be at NANN in Palm Springs and Bob will join her on the 18th.
Thursday, October 18th, Gary will be at TAAP in Houston, TX.
Wednesday, October 24th, Douglas and Victoria Lewis will be at CCLMA in Chicago.
Thursday, October 25th, Gary Bohl will be at his first international show, AMA, CMA, BMA International in Montreal, CA.
Sunday, October 28th, Bob will be at the Fetus and Newborn conference, talking to clients about our CordStat panels.

It’s a busy month. We are proud to serve. If you are at any of these shows, please drop by and say hello.

Q: I received a report that says “REJECTED” and “Profile not indicated- fax request to lab”. What does that mean? Has the specimen been destroyed? What should I do?

A: One piece of information that must be present on the Requisition Form is the Test Profile Requested. The lab is not allowed to pick and choose which panels to run on your behalf. We must obtain that information from the client in writing.

If the requisition form does not indicate which test to run, we reject the specimen with a request for the client to notify USDTL which profile to run on the specimen. You may notify the lab of the test profile you desire by fax or email. Remember to include multiple pieces of identification on the request. One fail-safe and quick way to notify the lab of which test to run is to note the desired profile on your fax copy and fax that over to the lab.

These specimens are retained for at least one week. Specimen requests not resolved within one week are scheduled for destruction along with the week-old negative specimens. One alternative to consider is the selection of a “Default Profile”. Having this information documented and on file at the laboratory allows the laboratory to assign a default profile when one is not indicated on the Requisition Form.

Officials in #Russia concerned about new synthetic #marijuana called “spice:” apne.ws/MOdQRp @AP

Painkiller abuse linked to #depression & #suicide in college students: ow.ly/c4ro3

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/healthquest/heroin-use-among-new-jersey-teens-snowballing-prescription-pills-are-new-gateway-drug

http://healthland.time.com/2012/07/03/methadone-a-major-driver-of-prescription-painkiller-overdose-deaths/

Evidence mounts: Methadone Risky in Chronic Pain:http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHealthPolicy/PublicHealth/33611

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/03/us-usa-health-painkillers-idUSBRE8620UH20120703

Almost 1500 packages of synthetic drugs seized in Illinois: LegalNewsline – Almost 1500 packages of synthetic dr… bit.ly/NtEM5R

On an avg day in June or July, more than 4,800 youths used marijuana for the first time 1.usa.gov/PlluUb

On an avg day in June or July, more than 5,000 youths smoked cigarettes for the first time 1.usa.gov/PlluUb

On an avg day in June or July, more than 11,000 youths used alcohol for the first time 1.usa.gov/PlluUb

Prescription Drug Abuse Among Pregnant Women:
http://rockcenter.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/05/12570381-prescription-drug-addiction-among-pregnant-women-becoming-monstrous-tidal-wave?lite

Addicted Mom on Baby’s Withdrawl; It’s All My Fault:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/48085618#48085618

Prescription Pill Epidemic Impacts Babies:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/48081187#48081187

News You Can Use:

Bill Banning Synthetic Drugs Passes Senate, Awaits President’s Signature

By Join Together Staff | June 29, 2012 | reprinted from: http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/drugs/bill-banning-synthetic-drugs-passes-senate-awaits-president%E2%80%99s-signature

The U.S. Senate passed a bill outlawing synthetic drugs this week, and awaits President Obama’s signature, The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. The Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 bans drugs such as “bath salts” and synthetic marijuana at the federal level.

According to a news release from the office of Senator Charles Schumer of New York, the amendment included three bills relating to synthetic substances: one for bath salts, one for synthetic marijuana, and one for synthetic hallucinogens. Click on link above for more information.

USDTL Unveils New “bath Salts” Assay in Umbilical Cord</p>

DES PLAINES, Ill. (June 1, 2012) – United States Drug Testing Laboratories, Inc (USDTL), a reference laboratory specializing in alcohol and substances of abuse testing, released a new assay testing umbilical cord for newborn exposure in utero to Designer Stimulants/ Bath Salts on Friday, June 1, 2012. The CordStat® assay screens for the most common of designer stimulants known as “Bath Salts.”

Designer stimulants produce an euphoric high and have been described by the CDC as “a serious public threat.” These stimulants are packaged as bath salts, plant food or stain remover with labels that indicate “not for human consumption”. (CDC, 2011; Dargan et al, 2010; Dargan et al, 2011). Officials say the powdery substance mimics the effects of cocaine, ecstasy and LSD. These chemicals can cause hallucinations, paranoia, rapid heart rates, violent behavior and suicidal thoughts.

Healthcare workers are seeing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) like symptoms similar to those seen in newborns exposed to the drugs listed above but cannot be attributed to opiates or other commonly screened for substances of abuse. Due in part to the lack of a widely-available, objective screen to identify newborns that have been exposed to designer stimulants, currently no specific research exists concerning the short-term or long-term harm caused by in utero exposure to designer stimulants. That said, the UK Teratology Information Service has warned that use of designer stimulants should be avoided during pregnancy (UKTIS, 2010).

CordStat® is an ideal clinical assay for healthcare practitioners concerned with monitoring newborns at high risk for having been exposed to Bath Salts/Designer Stimulants. The assay, which tests for 8 of the most common ingredients, can be ordered as an add-on test to one of our standard CordStat® 5-, 7-, 9-, 12- and 13-drug panels. To order, researchers and clinicians can contact Client Services at (800) 235-2367 or at clientservices@usdtl.com.

Established in 1991 as a specialty drug testing facility, USDTL quickly became a leader in the industry.USDTL has made significant breakthroughs by developing procedures to effectively use umbilical cord tissue and meconium specimens to diagnose alcohol misuse and substances of abuse. To find out more, please visit https://www.usdtl.com/.

Contact:
Bob Demaree, Clinical Projects Manager
bob.demaree@usdtl.com
(800) 235-2367

USDTL Now GSA Certified Contractor

DES PLAINES, Ill. (May 25, 2012) – Des Plaines, IL,—We are pleased to announce that United States Drug Testing Laboratories, Inc. (USDTL) has been awarded a 5-year Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract (V797P-2097D) from the Department of Veteran Affairs as part of the General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule which went into effect February 15, 2012. USDTL received the award for Schedule 621II Medical Laboratory Testing and Analytical Services as a certified small business enterprise.

VA Centers around the nation can now utilize USDTL’s state-of-the-art, long-term alcohol and drug biomarkers to assist with the treatment of chronic substance abuse. The contract also allows OB/GYN practitioners at all US military hospitals access to USDTL’s state-of-the-art toxicology services for newborn meconium and umbilical cord tissue testing for prenatal exposure to substances of abuse and heavy alcohol use.

USDTL is a leader in the toxicology industry; bringing new and innovative services to market to assist healthcare professionals to solve complex addiction issues. Government purchasers may contact Client Services at (800) 235-2367 or clientservice@usdtl.com to obtain more information and to coordinate specimen collection instructions and supplies.

Contact:
Joseph Jones, Vice President of Laboratory Services
joe.jones@usdtl.com
(800) 235-2367