Barbiturates, Screen
CPT Code(s):
80307
Turnaround Time:
8 hours
Specimen Requirements
Preferred Specimen:
Urine
Minimum Volume:
5.0 mL
Transport Container:
Yellow Top Tube or Sterile Cup
Transport Temperature:
Room Temperature
Collection Instructions:
Collect urine in plastic container and transfer to plain yellow top tube (without preservative).
Rejection Criteria:
Specimen received outside stability requirements; Excessive blood, particulates, viscosity present. Preservative (speckled top) tube.
Stability Criteria
Room Temperature:
5 days
Refrigerated:
7 days
Frozen:
30 days
Clinical Significance
Barbiturates Screen using immunoassay holds specific clinical significance and diagnostic use in the field of toxicology and drug screening. This test is designed to detect the presence of barbiturates, a class of sedative-hypnotic drugs, in a patient's urine or other body fluids.
The clinical significance and diagnostic use of Barbiturates Screen using immunoassay include:
1. Drug Abuse Screening: The test is primarily used for screening and detecting the use of barbiturates. Barbiturates are central nervous system depressant drugs that can be abused recreationally or used illicitly. Barbiturates Screen provides a quick and convenient method to determine whether a patient has recently used barbiturates, aiding in the identification of drug misuse or illicit drug use.
2. Monitoring Medication Compliance: Barbiturates, such as phenobarbital or pentobarbital, are prescribed for legitimate medical purposes, such as seizure control or anesthesia. Barbiturates Screen helps in monitoring patient compliance with prescribed barbiturate medications. By detecting the presence or absence of barbiturates in the body, the test provides objective evidence of recent drug use, supporting treatment compliance assessment and ensuring therapeutic efficacy.
3. Drug-Drug Interactions: Barbiturates Screen can be used to assess potential drug-drug interactions involving barbiturates. Barbiturates can interact with other medications, altering their metabolism or effectiveness. Detecting the presence of barbiturates in a patient's system helps healthcare providers identify potential interactions and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
4. Forensic and Toxicology Investigations: Barbiturates Screen has forensic and toxicology applications. Quantitative measurements of barbiturate levels can provide objective evidence of drug exposure, aiding in the determination of cause of death or assisting legal investigations related to drug use or drug-facilitated crimes.
It is important to note that Barbiturates Screen using immunoassay provides a qualitative result, indicating the presence or absence of barbiturates above a specific threshold. If a positive result is obtained, further confirmatory testing using more specific methods, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), is typically performed to confirm the presence of barbiturates and provide quantitative measurements.
In summary, Barbiturates Screen using immunoassay has clinical significance in toxicology and drug screening. It aids in drug abuse screening, monitoring medication compliance, assessing drug-drug interactions, and supports forensic and toxicology investigations. By detecting the presence of barbiturates in a patient's body fluids, this test assists healthcare providers and legal professionals in identifying drug misuse, ensuring patient safety, and providing valuable information for clinical and legal decision-making.