Urine Trinder spot test: a rapid salicylate screen for the emergency department.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the urine Trinder spot test, performed by emergency physicians, is a sensitive bedside screen for salicylates.


METHODS
Prospective, blinded human protocol with subjects serving as their own controls.


METHODS
Urban Level I medical center.


METHODS
Ten male and two female volunteers with negative urine toxicologic screen results before the start of the study.


METHODS
Each participant ingested 975 mg of nonenteric coated aspirin. Serum and urine samples were collected before ingestion and 2 and 4 hours after ingestion. Three emergency physicians and a toxicology technician independently performed Trinder spot tests. Results were recorded as positive or negative for salicylate on the basis of color change (a purple reading was considered positive).


RESULTS
All postingestion urine specimens were detected by all testers with 100% sensitivity. Two false positives occurred in the preingestion samples. Serum quantitative assays confirmed the presence of salicylates in all postingestion specimens.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study suggests that emergency physicians can use the Trinder spot test as a sensitive bedside salicylate screen, potentially saving time and quantitative assay expense.
King
J A
JA
Department of Emergency Medicine, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
Storrow
A B
AB
Finkelstein
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010362:Patients' Rooms; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012459:Salicylates / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine*; D020156:Salicylic Acid; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
D012459:Salicylates; D020156:Salicylic Acid