Invalid lab?!?

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Hey guys! I received a notification from Spectrum that my UDS from 1/7 was invalid. No one called me, just sent the prompt to contact my case manager (which I did the same day on the 22nd). 

They are ordering special labs next month, and didn't seem to be too concerned. 

Any idea what happened with the invalid result? My hair follicle should also be next month. I've been 100% compliant. 

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I've never heard of it so I Googled what causes an invalid UDS.  It said an adulteration to the sample or pH creatine etc out of range.  Maybe the MRO decided it was OK and that's why you didn't hear anything? 

You know what they tested for and know in advance you're getting a hair test?

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I get hair tests every 3 months, so no big deal. 🤷‍♀️. Same old, same old. It's always the month before the quarterly reports. That's never a suprise.

My case manager told me next month they're adding on "special labs", and prepare for the cost. Never told me what they are actually testing. My DOC was opiates, and I've been clean for 13 months. The whole damn thing is just so odd. 

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PaddedCellLPN said:

I get hair tests every 3 months, so no big deal. 🤷‍♀️. Same old, same old. 

My case manager told me next month they're adding on "special labs", and prepare for the cost. The whole damn thing is just so odd. 

What state are you in? We never know what's being tested . 

Are you going to be done after February? I've heard they add on tests your last month 

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Some states do schedule routine q3 month hair tests IN addition to the regular ongoing random urine tests. Georgia and Idaho are like that. Idaho might have changed but it use to do q3 month hair tests.

An invalid sample is usually one of 2 things. It's a urine sample that is too concentrated. Yes, the lab can actually invalidate your sample if your creatine is too high/(Concentrated/Dehydrated). The second reason is lab error by the technician. For example, the technician makes a mistake in the computer or on the lab form, for example, the technician checks the word "single" instead of "split." Something that simple can invalidate the test. Always pay attention to your lab tech who is collecting the specimen as they complete the COC/Lab Req Form and look it over before you leave the testing area. If the technician enters your info into a computer, and then prints it, check over your print out.

You are fine by the way. I've had 2 lab technician errors in my time with completing the COC form in which the technician signed her date for 2021 instead of 2022 and the other one, she selected "single" instead of "split" specimen. I caught it the second time it happened after I went to the car and walked back in and peed again after drinking a cup of water and waiting 30 minutes. I was mad, but had the day off and had some time so I didn't want to leave any doubt.

The most alarming thing is that you tested on the 7th and got back to you on the 22nd. That us pure laziness and pathetic on their part.

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Healer555 said:

What state are you in? We never know what's being tested . 

Are you going to be done after February? I've heard they add on tests your last month 

GA. I'm required to have hair tests every three months, it's always done a month before the quarterly paperwork is done. Been doing it for a year. 

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NurseJackie69 said:

Some states do schedule routine q3 month hair tests IN addition to the regular ongoing random urine tests. Georgia and Idaho are like that. Idaho might have changed but it use to do q3 month hair tests.

An invalid sample is usually one of 2 things. It's a urine sample that is too concentrated. Yes, the lab can actually invalidate your sample if your creatine is too high/(Concentrated/Dehydrated). The second reason is lab error by the technician. For example, the technician makes a mistake in the computer or on the lab form, for example, the technician checks the word "single" instead of "split." Something that simple can invalidate the test. Always pay attention to your lab tech who is collecting the specimen as they complete the COC/Lab Req Form and look it over before you leave the testing area. If the technician enters your info into a computer, and then prints it, check over your print out.

You are fine by the way. I've had 2 lab technician errors in my time with completing the COC form in which the technician signed her date for 2021 instead of 2022 and the other one, she selected "single" instead of "split" specimen. I caught it the second time it happened after I went to the car and walked back in and peed again after drinking a cup of water and waiting 30 minutes. I was mad, but had the day off and had some time so I didn't want to leave any doubt.

The most alarming thing is that you tested on the 7th and got back to you on the 22nd. That us pure laziness and pathetic on their part.

That's my major issue with the whole thing. The app let me know 2 weeks later by a random alert, but the rules are basically an immediate retest. So, them being lazy is going to cost me big probably in Feb money wise with all these "special tests" they're adding now. 

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Maybe you'll just get a warning.  Geez don't drink too much water so it's dilute but don't drink too little 

 

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Healer555 said:

Maybe you'll just get a warning.  Geez don't drink too much water so it's dilute but don't drink too little 

 

Idek what happened, I haven't done anything, so IDK what happened with the lab side of it. 🤷‍♀️. My hair will show I've been good, so other than being upset about the lack of communication, I'm good. It's just my career on the line, I think I should be a little in the loop. 

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Your case manager won't do anything to you and nothing will happen. It's more likely a lab error instead of being too concentrated. They know lab errors happen and they are going to occur. You can't control what the lab does. You will be fine other than the painful money expense of added on tests upcoming. If urine is too concentrated, case managers will just say to be more careful and drink more, but they know that people don't cheat from "concentrated urines." When or If they do cheat, it's a dilution attempt, and whenever a nurse has the rare concentrated urine, case managers know the nurse is being over protective of Not having a diluted urine.  They aren't robots.  They know this.  People don't get into trouble for concentrated urines or errors by the lab.

Be sure to absolutely 100 percent document the day you tested and when the lab contacted you. Document that you called or emailed your case manager and spoke about it and right down the time you did that. Cut and paste any and all emails of this event and place into a word document and save them just in case someone tries to get stupid in 4 months.

 

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Hey I tried to private message you but it would not allow me I have a ton of questions to ask you if it lets you dm me can you please ? Or text me at 478-239-4530

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