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Laboratory Services
Quantum Laboratories can offer a full complement of drug screening and confirmation services for oral fluid, urine and hair specimens in our purpose built laboratory.
Quantum Laboratories offers a traditional two part investigation of an initial screen to identify a positive or negative drug and a confirmation stage by an alternative testing methodology.
Screening Service
Our automated immunoassay analysers are equipped for high volume simultaneous screening of multiple drug analytes.
Turn Around Time of screening results are as follows:
| Oral Fluid |
24 hours |
| Urine |
24 hours |
| Hair |
3 working days |
From receipt of sample at Quantum Laboratories in Waltham Abbey.
Confirmation Service
Quantum Laboratories provides a full in-house confirmation service utilising LC-MS-MS technology (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-Mass Spectrometry). The initial positive drug screen sample is broken down and the individual target analytes are identified and quantified results are produced.
Turn Around Time of confirmation results are as follows:
| Oral Fluid |
72 hours |
| Urine |
72 hours |
| Hair |
5 working days |
From receipt of sample at Quantum Laboratories in Waltham Abbey.
Laboratory collection kits
Specimen collection kits are available in the following format.
- Oral fluid chain of custody
- Urine chain of custody
- Hair chain of custody
All laboratory requisition forms are pre-printed with client details to save time during collections.
A full laboratory collection kit customisation service is available.
Blood Borne Virus Screening Service
Quantum Laboratories blood borne virus screening service tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV on either dried blood spots or oral fluid samples, providing a choice for the patient. Our rapid turnaround time pre-diagnostic screening service returns reports within 48 hours of receipt at the laboratory.
We are confident that this rapid turnaround service will benefit both healthcare practitioners and patients and aid in the diagnosis and treatment process. These tests should not be used exclusively for diagnosis or patient management decisions. We recommend that any positive or reactive test is repeated with a freshly taken serum sample before treatment decisions are made.
Hepatitis B
We screen for a current infection by looking for Hep B surface antigen. A positive result indicates there are virus particles present. It will not be positive if the individual has either been vaccinated or had a previous infection which has now been cleared.
Hepatitis B screening is available on both dried blood spot and oral fluid specimens.
Hepatitis C
This antibody test screens for exposure to the Hep C virus which results from an infection. It does not necessarily indicate a current infection however this can be confirmed by requesting the PCR option on any positive results. HCV PCR is available from the dried blood spot samples and detects the presence of Hep C virus particles and therefore a current infection.
Hepatitis C screening is available on both dried blood spot and oral fluid specimens. In addition HCV qualitative PCR is offered on dried blood spot specimens.
Why Test?
Testing promptly following recent exposure may identify acute infection, which responds to therapy in almost 100% of cases*.
HIV
This antibody test screens for exposure to the HIV virus. When exposed to the HIV virus the body produces the antibody in response but is not able to clear it. A positive result therefore indicates a current infection.
HIV Antibody (HIV Ab) is available on both dried blood spot and oral fluid specimens.
A full range of virology and serology tests is available on venous blood samples, please contact the laboratory for details.
Collection kits
Our collection devices for both dried blood spot and oral fluid samples are CE marked and our oral fluid collection device does not contain any animal products making it suitable for use with all patients.
*Vilano SA, Vlahov D, Nelson KE, Cohn S, Thomas DL. Persistence of Vireamia and the importance of long-term follow-up after acute hepatitis C infection. Hepatology 1999; 29(3): 908-14
Collections
Quantum Collections are a dedicated network of healthcare professionals who can provide specimen collection services for the workplace. Collections for pre-employment, random and for-cause specimens can be organised at any location within the UK.
