Absolutely not appropriate for ITU use.
The best NPT for DAU screening is a vacuum tube with a lab and qualified
staff on the other end.
You need both the right results and a helpful interpretation in ITU cases.
Your Clinical Colleagues in Aberdeen may remember the problems that were
highlighted in a Fatal Accident Enquiry a year or two back when a lass with
liver failure and a positive urine screen for cannabinoids was thought by
the clinicians to be misusing drugs on the ward because they didn't know (or
find out) about cannabinoid excretion patterns. (She was transferred to RIE
for a liver transplant from an ID Unit in the North East of Scotland and
eventually didn't get the transplant and died). The interpretation of the
DAU screen and its contribution to her management were issues explored in
embarrassing detail at the FAI.
Robert Forrest
A R W Forrest LLM, FRCP, FRCPath,
Professor of Forensic Toxicology
University Dept of Forensic Pathology
Medico-legal Centre
Watery Street
SHEFFIELD
S3 7ES
UK
Voice +44 (0)114 2738721
Fax +44 (0)114 279 8942
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [log in to unmask]
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
> [log in to unmask]
> Sent: 21 October 1999 09:53
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: NPT for DOA Screening
>
>
> Does anyone use a Near Patient Testing device for urine Drugs of Abuse
> screening ?
> Our ITU physicians have been making enquiries about this and we would be
> interested to know what other hospitals use.
>
> Thanks in anticipation
>
> Mary MacLeod
> Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
>
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