Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)

EIA is designed for qualitative presumptive screening for a single drug or a single family of drugs. This method affords the flexibility of sensitive single test or multiple single selections. Each assay is specific for a particular drug or drug family. Often a broad TLC drug screen in conjunction with selective EIA drug assays offers the best choice for a comprehensive drug screen.

 Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

This method is used to screen for drugs of abuse in saliva or urine. It is a qualitative analytical test.

Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)

GC/MS has become an important analytical method for confirmation testing. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is a method that combines the features of gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify different substances within a test sample. It provides the highest specificity and quantitative accuracy and is one of the preferred methods of confirmation. ***

 High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)

Another method of confirmation is LC/MS/MS. LC/MS as it is referred to, is an analytical chemistry technique that combines the physical separation capabilities of liquid chromatography (or HPLC) with the mass analysis capabilities of mass spectrometry. LC-MS is a powerful technique used for many applications which has very high sensitivity and specificity. Generally its application is oriented towards the specific detection and potential identification of chemicals in the presence of other chemicals (in a complex mixture). ***

*** Laboratory may choose the best method for confirming a particular drug screen.***