Pre Employment Background Screening Blog

Often referred to as "the gold standard method", your drug testing should follow the guidelines set forth by the federal government, giving you assurance that your company's drug testing is being done fairly and accurately. Drug testing at this standard has withstood legal challenge and been upheld by various courts. To save money, some drug testing administrators will charge a separate fee for collection, avoid using certified laboratories, and will not provide comprehensive MRO services. In lieu of laboratory testing, some will even use instant testing kits not approved by the FDA for workplace testing. Others still will charge extra for integrity and confirmation testing. Not conducting drug testing at this "gold standard" exposes your company to needless liability.

Please consider the following when implementing your drug and alcohol testing program:

A comprehensive "gold standard" drug test consists of:

• Specimen collection by a trained collector using a strict chain of custody

• Testing of specimens at a SAMHSA or CAP/FUDT certified laboratory

• Testing of at least the five common illicit drugs, referred to as the "NIDA 5" at appropriate cutoff levels

• Integrity testing (testing for adulterants and dilution)

• GC/MS (gas chromatography, mass spectrometry)

• Confirmation of all initial positive specimens

• Certified Medical Officer Review (MRO) on all results, negative or positive, with confidential reporting to a designated representative at your company

Inquest Pre Employment Screening offers 5, 6, 9 and 10 Panel Drug Screening. Inquest uses the "Gold Standard Method" the highest level of drug testing available today.

Inquest Employee Screening also offers a number of other screening services as well, including employee background checks.