Drug use is a detriment to any workplace. It impairs judgment, reduces productivity, increases safety risks, and more. Tackling this issue requires a reliable, effective strategy for drug testing. This brings up a common question: should companies test onsite or send employees to a clinic? To clarify the process, this guide from TOPLAB® covers everything an HR professional needs to know about onsite drug testing, including its advantages, how to implement it effectively, and choosing the best testing lab for your company’s requirements.
The Benefits of Onsite Drug Testing
Companies may conduct onsite drug testing or rely on a third-party testing provider. Working with a clinic can be attractive for many HR departments since doing so provides a fairly hands-off approach. However, onsite testing proves a more viable method for many organizations. Some of its top benefits include:
- Efficiency: Eliminating transportation and wait times before testing reduces employee downtime and improves workplace productivity.
- Convenience: When you test onsite, all necessary supplies are delivered to your door. You can schedule testing at your convenience instead of working around a clinic’s busy schedule.
- Randomization: Onsite drug testing is easier to initiate at random, eliminating bias and encouraging employees to remain drug-free every day – not only on known test days.
- Cost-Effective: Purchasing and administering drug tests onsite typically lowers the overall cost of testing as opposed to working with a clinic.
- Security: Onsite testing offers fewer opportunities for adulteration of test samples. Your HR department can be confident that results are reliable.
Types of Drug Tests for Onsite Use
Once you’ve decided to administer onsite drug testing, you’ll need to choose the test type that best fits your needs. TOPLAB® offers two proven drug screening methods, each with unique benefits:
Urine
Urine tests are the most common and are mandated for all regulated drug screenings. Though the window of detection varies based on the substance, it is typically longer for urine tests. In some cases, urine can reveal the presence of a drug five to ten days after use.
Oral Fluid
Also called a saliva test, this method has a much shorter detection window. As a result, it is an excellent means of detecting drugs very soon after you believe they were used. Oral tests are also remarkably difficult to tamper with.
Administering a Test
Regardless of test type, the administration is simple. Neither urine nor oral tests require the expertise of a phlebotomist. Simply follow this step-by-step process to achieve the most reliable results:
- To avoid false positives and inconsistencies, ask subjects to disclose any prescriptions, medications, or supplements they are currently taking.
- Have subjects leave any coats, bags, or pocket contents outside the testing room. You may also want to supervise testing to prevent tampering.
- Follow the instructions provided with the testing kit. Then, seal samples tightly to prevent tampering before filling out the labels.
- Return completed tests to the testing laboratory to have your samples evaluated. Your results will be delivered digitally via our secure portal or by mail as soon as they are available.
Choosing a Lab Partner
The efficiency and reliability of your test results will in part depend on your testing partner. Accordingly, it’s essential to choose a laboratory that can ensure a quick turnaround and trustworthy results. TOPLAB® is a small lab located in New Jersey that serves clients across the nation. Our technicians use the latest technology to ensure accurate sample analysis, giving you peace of mind in each result. And because we don’t rely on lengthy waiting lists, we begin working on samples as soon as they’re received. To learn more about onsite drug testing, contact us today.