Some companies will give an individual a days notice of a pending drug test.
This is usually a sign that the donor will providing a sample off site. The
collection site and laboratory where the urinalysis is performed are usually two
different places. Less than 5% of all samples have a drug test with a GC/MS
performed in the same facility where the sample is collected.
When the donor arrives at the collection site, a nurse or lab technician will
ask for photo I.D. for proof of verification. The technician will then transfer
the donor's information on the laboratory paperwork and give the donor the
sample cup. The donor is usually asked to empty their pockets and leave all
personal items in the lobby area. The donor is then escorted to the restroom.
The technician will make a quick check of the restroom and might inspect the
donor's fingernails or ask the donor to wash their hands before voiding
(urinating). This is to ensure the donor does not have salt or other additives
under their fingernails. The water in the restroom sink is turned off and the
toilet water is dyed blue. The donor is given instructions on how many samples
to provide and not to flush the toilet after voiding. Each lab is different on
the sample size. Most labs require a minimum of 45 ml or 1-½ ounces of urine.
The accepted sample size can vary from 30 - 150 ml or 1 to 5 ounces. Usually the
donor is left alone to provide the sample. The technician will wait outside the
stall or in the hallway while the donor is urinating. Rarely does the technician
view the genitals while the sample is being delivered except for the military
and a few cases of criminal probation. The donor is then instructed to wash
their hands and proceed to the final paperwork. The urine sample is never
supposed to leave the donor's sight in this stage of the test until the final
paperwork is completed.
The technician will get the sample from the donor and do a quick integrity
check. This consists of temperature and maybe a test strip (see picture), which
contain a few Test strips used to check the urine integrity tests like pH,
creatinine, and nitrite. The sample must be in the 90-100°F range, a pH in the
4.0 - 9.0 range, creatinine > 20 mg/dl, and nitrite < 500 ng/dl. The
sample is then split in two, in case there is a dispute on the first set of
results, the second sample can be sent in for a second reanalysis.
Test
strips used to check the urine integrity
The donor must sign their name or initials several times in a chain of
custody. The chain of custody proves the sample was not tampered with after the
donor left, or that samples were mixed up in shipping. The samples are sealed
with special tape. The donor signs his initials to the tape confirming the
identity of the urine and indicating they have witnessed the sample splitting.
The urine is then placed in a special transportation bag that the donor also
initials. A final signature on the chain of custody form and the donor is
finished. The entire process usually takes less than fifteen minutes.
The sample will then be overnighted to the laboratory for analysis. Results
typically take one day if negative, and two to three days if positive.
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