A 5-panel Drug Test is one of the most popular types of tests used in workplace settings to check job candidates and employees for illicit substance abuse. It can also be purchased individually for use at home. These tests are available in standard form, which is processed by a laboratory, and in an express form, which provides results instantly. This latter type is also known as a point-of-care test (POCT).
This type of drug test screens an individual for five of the most commonly abused drugs, otherwise known as the SAMSHA-5 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Association), which include:
● Amphetamines
● Cocaine
● Marijuana (THC)
● Opiates
● Phencyclidine (PCP)
It is important to note that this kind of test is incapable of detecting drugs other than those listed here, like methadone or benzodiazepines. If more comprehensive drug testing coverage is desired, then a 10- or 25-Drug Testing kit should be used.
The popularity of 5-Panel Drug Tests among employers and for at-home use is predominantly due to the test’s affordability, accuracy, and easy operation. Depending on which type of test is purchased, a 5-panel Drug Test can use either saliva or urine as the testing sample.
When a urine sample is used, the test can detect the use of the above drugs of abuse (DOA) anywhere from 1 to 14 days or longer depending on the drug. When a saliva sample is used, it offers a much shorter window of detection, usually 12 to 24 hours. Urine is therefore preferred if a test is being conducted to determine someone’s short-term history of use, but saliva is still an excellent choice if the goal is to test for current impairment.
With so much riding on the accuracy of these tests, many may wonder just how accurate 5-panel Drug Tests are. In this guide, you’ll learn more about the accuracy of 5-panel Drug Tests and what factors can affect it.
How Accurate are 5-Panel Drug Tests?
One of the biggest areas of confusion about these tests is that many believe that the at-home version of the test is not as accurate as one that is processed in a laboratory. The truth is, this can be both true and incorrect at the same time.
If you look at the packaging, you will discover that both the express test and the standard lab-processed test claim to have an accuracy of 99.9%. While this claim is technically true, only tests that are processed by a laboratory can produce results as close to 100% accurate because laboratories have the technology to see everything that has entered the body’s system. It is also because when these tests are administered at home, there is a greater risk of the results being affected by various factors that don’t exist in laboratory settings. For instance, some of the common factors that can affect the accuracy of an express POCT test include:
● The test wasn’t performed within the correct time frame
● The test wasn’t handled or performed correctly
● The test wasn’t stored properly
● The testing kit was expired
● The person ate or drank something before the test that interfered with the accuracy of the results
● The person took medications before the test that interfered with the accuracy of the results
● The person taking the test tampered with the test or sample
As a result of these factors, when an at-home drug test kit claims that it is “as accurate as a lab test,” that statement can be considered incorrect, even though both tests are physically identical. This is further proven in that unlike an at-home test, a laboratory uses a wide range of advanced tools and measurements when processing a standard 5-panel Drug Test. This greatly helps to reduce the risk of false positives and it provides an exact breakdown of what substances are in the body’s system.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that an at-home 5-panel Drug Test isn’t without its advantages or merits. For instance, at-home test kits offer a lower price point and greater convenience. The results are also immediately available, usually within five minutes, instead of having to wait one to two days for the lab to process the results. And there’s no waiting at a doctor’s office or lab testing facility to get seen. For these reasons, many employers choose POCT tests for conducting their own random employee drug tests.
How To Improve the Accuracy of an At-Home 5-Panel Drug Test
At-home 5-Panel Drug Testing kits are a great way to test someone or yourself for the five most abused illicit drugs. While these tests may never be able to claim 100% accuracy, they are still very highly accurate when the tests are stored, handled, and administered properly. For the best results and to reduce the risk of a false positive, always make sure to follow the steps that come with your at-home 5-Panel Drug Testing kit.
To improve the accuracy of at-home drug tests, or POCT tests conducted in the workplace, there are some simple standards that you can follow. These include:
● Getting a good night’s sleep before the day of testing
● Drink plenty of water
● Avoid caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs that may interfere with the drug test
● Do not eat anything within two hours before taking your sample
What To Do if You Feel the Test Result is Inaccurate
Since the above factors exist, and despite all your best efforts, it can be almost impossible for a drug test that’s not processed in a laboratory setting to reach 100% accuracy. If you believe the result of an at-home test or a POCT test in the workplace might be incorrect, then the best way to ensure the result is as close as possible to 100% accurate is to have a lab re-test the sample.