Test Category: Toxicology
Investigation Name:Unknown Drug Screen
Alias or Abbreviation:Unknown Drug Screen/TOF/Time of Flight
Intro:
Unknown Drugs screen is performed on the LC-QTOF-MS and can identify over 1300 drugs and metabolites including over the counter and prescription medications, classic drugs of abuse, cutting agents and many other compounds. This may be requested to identify what a patient has been exposed to, identify presence of compounds that are not included in the routine drugs of abuse screen, identify unknown substances, and to check for metabolites. The toxicology laboratory can confirm whether a specific compound of interest is included in the screen prior to sending samples for analysis.Pathology Laboratory:Toxicology, City Hospital
Requestable Seperately?No
Lower Reference Range Limit:N/A
Upper Reference Range Limit:N/A
Units:N/A
Minimum Sample Volume:2mL urine is the preferred sample type.
Expected Turnaround Time:24 – 48 hours
Test Code:TOF, TOFU, TOFO
Sample Type:
2mL urine is the preferred sample type. EDTA blood, paper, pills, powders etc can also be analysed. Please note: Gel tubes will NOT be accepted.Complex Reference Range:N/A
Referred to Another Laboratory?No
Storage Requirements:Samples should be stored at 4oC prior to sending and should be transported at ambient temperature via normal postal system. Pills/powders/suspicious substances should have arranged transport to the laboratory.
Posting Address / Requirements:Toxicology City Hospital Dudley Road Birmingham B18 7QH
NPEX / PDF Reporting Available:NPEX and PDF reporting is available.
EQA Scheme:The laboratory takes part in the LGC Scheme for Drugs of Abuse in urine, the LGC Scheme for Drugs of Abuse in Oral Fluid and a Toxicology case study involving a clinical scenario provided to the laboratory for interpretation. In addition, the TOF analyses Toxicology Drugs/metabolites in urine (LGC) and New Psychoactive Substance Blood Quantification Samples (LGC).
Further information:Contact the laboratory on : Tel: 0121 507 4138
Lead Contact Details:Dr Loretta Ford Consultant Clinical Scientist, Toxicology 0121 507 6026
Email Address For Chasing Results:bcpspathology.info@nhs.net / swbh.toxicology@nhs.net
UKAS Reference Number:8407. Accredited to ISO 15189:2012
