Evaluation of a point-of-care testing product for drugs of abuse; testing site is a key variable.
We evaluated the EZ-SCREEN Test Kit (Editek, Inc., Burlington, NC), a point-of-care screening test for the presence of cocaine metabolite (benzoylecgonine; BE), cannabinoids (tetrahydrocannabinol; THC) and opiates in urine. Patient specimens (n = 34) were tested in the laboratory using both Abbott Laboratories ADx (ADx) and EZ-SCREEN (EZS-LAB), and by the nursing staff of an inpatient substance abuse treatment program using the EZ-SCREEN (EZS-RN). We found comparable analytical efficiency between methods used in the laboratory (> 95% for all three analytes with EZS-LAB and ADx) but lower efficiency for THC and BE with point-of-care testing (approximately 82% for EZS-RN). Efficiency for EZS-RN opiates was 100%. We conclude that the EZ-SCREEN Test Kit may not be suitable for use in a busy clinical setting, unless specific measures are taken to insure the accuracy of point-of-care testing (e.g., minimal interruption or distraction, careful training). We recommend that prior to routine use of point-of-care testing products they be evaluated under normal working conditions with personnel who will eventually be required to perform routine testing.
Kranzler
H R
HR
Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030, USA.
Stone
J
J
McLaughlin
L
L
D003042:Cocaine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000652:urine; D009294:Narcotics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000652:urine; D010348:Patient Care Team; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000652:urine
D009294:Narcotics; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; C005618:benzoylecgonine; D013759:Dronabinol; D003042:Cocaine