Medication Monitoring
Why Drug Test?
Drug testing is the only way to know with certainty what is in your patient's body. Lab tests provide objective and confirmatory results that will establish a baseline for new patients, monitor prescribed drugs, identify unpresribed drugs, and provide you with accurate data to guide treatment.
Testing does not replace clinical judgment. Test selection, interpretation, diagnosis, and treatment decisions remain with the treating provider.
Clinical context
When Controlled Medications Are Prescribed
Drug testing may be an important component of a provider-directed monitoring protocol when controlled medications are prescribed. The appropriate testing strategy depends on the patient, medication, clinical setting, applicable guidance, payer requirements, and provider judgment.
Testing is performed by qualified laboratory partners. Specific laboratory certifications and accreditations vary by laboratory and testing program.
Educational overview
Five Reasons Providers May Use Drug Testing
Establish Objective Baseline Information
Testing can provide objective information about medications or substances present in a specimen before or during treatment.
Monitor for Expected Medication Findings
Laboratory information may help providers evaluate whether findings are consistent with medications expected to be present.
Identify Unexpected Findings
Testing may reveal an unexpected presence or absence of a medication or substance that warrants provider review and, where appropriate, laboratory confirmation or discussion with the patient.
Support Responsible Prescribing
A structured monitoring protocol can provide additional objective information for providers managing controlled medications and may help address concerns related to medication use or diversion.
Support Patient Safety and Clinical Documentation
Drug testing may be used as one part of a broader monitoring strategy to support informed prescribing, patient safety, and appropriate clinical documentation.
Point-of-Care Drug Testing
Immediate Screening When Your Protocol Calls for It
TMS can provide multi-panel point-of-care urine drug-testing cups for practices and treatment programs that use rapid onsite screening as part of their monitoring protocol. These tests provide preliminary screening results at the point of care; unexpected or clinically significant findings may require laboratory confirmation as determined by the treating provider and applicable testing protocol.
Point-of-care testing may be particularly useful for treatment programs and recovery settings that test frequently as part of an established monitoring protocol.
Competitive Practice Pricing
TMS offers competitively priced multi-panel point-of-care drug-testing cups for healthcare practices and treatment programs.
Screening and confirmation
From Preliminary Screening to Laboratory Confirmation
Point-of-care cups provide preliminary screening results. When a result is unexpected or confirmation is clinically appropriate, laboratory-based testing may be ordered by the provider.
- Step 1
Point-of-Care Screening
Preliminary screening result at the point of care.
- Step 2
Unexpected or Clinically Significant Finding
Something that warrants a closer look.
- Step 3
Provider Review
The treating provider evaluates the finding in clinical context.
- Step 4
Laboratory Confirmation When Appropriate
Laboratory-based testing may be ordered by the provider.
Preliminary point-of-care screening results and laboratory results are not equivalent. Laboratory testing is performed by qualified laboratory partners.
Related
Where This Fits in a TMS Program
Medication Monitoring
How a provider-directed monitoring workflow is organized and supported.
Learn MorePain Management
Monitoring protocols for patients receiving controlled medications.
Learn MoreAddiction Treatment & Recovery
In-person and remote monitoring for treatment and recovery programs.
Learn MoreHave a Question?
Talk With TMS About Your Monitoring Protocol
A TMS contact can review your current workflow, onsite screening needs, and laboratory coordination before discussing an appropriate scope.