These guidelines will allow federal executive branch agencies to collect and test oral fluid specimen as a part of their drug testing programs.

The OFMG will be effective starting January 1st 2020. However, federal agencies will not be able to conduct oral fluid drug testing of federal employees until HHS has approved laboratories for oral fluid drug testing in accordance with the OFMG.

These guidelines may also be used by agencies such as the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as part of their regulated drug testing programs, but these agencies must engage in separate rule-making activities.

This is the first time since 1986 that a specimen other than urine will be able to be used in the federal agency testing programs.

Some important things to take note of with these new changes:

-The specimen collection, laboratory analysis, and medical review of oral fluid tests will mirror existing procedures and processes currently in place for urine drug testing.
-Laboratories must be approved by the HHS National Laboratory Certification Program for oral fluid drug testing. Requirements for approval will largely mirror those currently in place for urine drug testing laboratories.
-The oral fluid specimen collections must be observed, use an FDA-cleared specimen collection device, and will require split specimen procedures using 2 separate devices.
-Federal agencies will be allowed to use oral fluid testing for all of the same testing reasons as currently authorized for urine drug testing and will not be required to choose between using only urine or oral fluid.
-An approved federal custody and control form (CCF) will be used to document the oral fluid collection and establish chain of custody of the specimen.
-The drug testing panel will test for the same drugs as the federal panel for urine drug testing. Cut-off levels specific to oral fluid are included in the OFMG.
-The OFMG contains provisions for when an individual cannot provide adequate volume oral specimen or urine specimen.
-The OFMG only refers to and permits lab-based oral fluid drug testing, not instant or POCT oral fluid testing.

It has taken many years from the first time SAMHSA publicly recognized the valuable attributes of lab-based oral fluid testing until now—announcing the proposed regulations. The agency has said that their hopes with releasing oral fluid testing options will be to help reduce time and money needed in order to maintain a drug testing program, and help eliminate the ever-growing issue of drug test cheating.

To see further details on these latest updates, you can view the guideline announcement here.

The post SAMHSA’s New Oral Fluid Guidelines appeared first on Blueline.

But what kind of drug testing will work best for your company? The testing method that words best for us, might not work best for you. We wrote this article to help you figure out what method is best suited for your company’s needs. And as always, if you have more specific questions, please contact one of our drug screening professionals at 888-919-8378 or by emailing mail@blueline-services.com.

There are three main types of drug testing: urine, hair, and oral fluid or saliva.

Urine Testing:

Urine is by far the most common or popular type of drug testing. It is the only testing method approved for companies with federally-mandated testing and is by far one of the most cost-effective forms of drug testing.

Pros:
-Cost-effective
-Instant and lab-based testing options available
-Easily customizable testing panels (all drug panels available)
-Nationwide collection sites available
-Most likely to survive a legal challenge

Cons:
-Limited window of detection (3-5 days, up to 6 weeks for marijuana)
-Easier to cheat
-Issues collecting samples (shy bladder)
-Harder to collect samples, handle, and ship

Hair Testing:

Hair testing is normally used for those employers looking for a longer window of detection that can show habitual drug use. Using this testing method will help you avoid hiring long-term or lifestyle drug users.

Pros:
-Longer window of detection
-Easy to ship and store
-Cheating not possible (test observed and collected)

Cons:
-Can be biased based on hair length available (longer hair vs. none – which then requires body hair)
-Doesn’t detect recent drug use (5-7 days before collection)
-Limited testing panels available
-More expensive

Oral Fluid (Saliva) Testing:

Oral fluid testing is most commonly used for onsite collections or for high volume testing needed at one time (ex. hiring events). While oral fluids are convenient, easy, and pretty cost-effective, they aren’t the most consistent form of testing and have the shortest detection window.

Pros:
-Cheating not possible (test observed and collected)
-Easy collection that can be done anywhere
-Instant and lab-based testing options available
-Cheapest test that can be administered by the company themselves

Cons:
-Shortest detection window (only 24-48 hours)
-Not all collection devices are FDA approved
-Tests can be difficult to read/inconsistent
-The larger the testing panel the less accurate they become

What Testing Method Should You Use?

Compare your company’s needs with the basics of each drug testing method listed above. Ultimately, you need to decide what factors are most important to you and what method you feel most comfortable with. Some of the main things to consider are: detection window (are you looking for recent drug use or long term?), cost, testing panel availability and ease of collection (do you need to be able to test at your office?). If you need extra help, give us a call and we’d be more than happy to help you figure out what method would be best suited for your company’s needs.

The post What Drug Testing Method Is Best For Your Company? appeared first on Blueline.