Drug testing, as a whole, helps protect public safety. Although testing for drugs can’t thoroughly evaluate an individual’s ability to performs tasks safely, a test result can provide an accurate reading indicating whether a substance is present in a person’s system. Drug test results can draw conclusions instantly. Thus, it’s important for results to be accurate.
Generally, drug testing is not always 100 percent correct. The accuracy of a test depends on other factors, including the kind of test used, the particular substance being tested for, the presence of other prescribed medications in the body, and the overall length of time that’s gone by since the last use of a drug. Determining how accurate rapid drug tests are means closely examining the above factors and analyzing how they influence the drug testing process.
The Time Factor
Drug testing is usually performed in one of two ways: rapid or lab-based testing. Lab-based drug screening is traditionally more accurate, but it takes a far longer amount of time. Thus, time is always the biggest factor that influences drug tests. The popularity of rapid drug tests comes from its very name—its results are rapid, sometimes even instant, to determine the presence of substances. Rapid tests are a convenient and cost-effective alternative to lab-based testing.
The Limitations of Rapid Tests
You may still be wondering: how accurate are rapid drug tests? Rapid tests may be quick, but they are still limited by factors influencing their accuracy. Rapid tests can be done professionally with precision but cannot test for more than a dozen types of drugs and can only test via a urine sample.
Comparatively, lab-based testing is more involved and can check for any substance by utilizing urine, hair, saliva, and blood samples. More complex testing or analysis by lab-based screening could be a better choice for result confirmation. These particular circumstances greatly influence the potential accuracy of chosen drug tests because of limited testing procedures.
Quality of Testing Products
The accuracy of rapid drug tests may also depend on the quality of the testing products used. Labs and collection agencies can order from a trustworthy supplier to improve the accuracy of test results for clients. American Screening Corp is a top provider for testing products that are effective and easy to use.
Other names for rapid tests include instant testing and point of care testing products. POCT products aren’t necessarily always used for testing for substances. Rather, they are assorted items that can provide an individual with results and care instantly, as is the case with pregnancy tests, flu tests, or glucose level tests for diabetics. No matter the purpose of testing, quality products are the top solutions to provide accurate results.
