PEth test

SNB1014, RN · Jul 16, 2021

Yes, absolutely.

sharklady · Jul 16, 2021

You should be fine!

Miadd, BSN · Jul 16, 2021

Anyone know what option 12 for TNPAP tests for?

hopetoyouall · Jul 17, 2021

Some unsolicited advice, if your Monitoring Board requires you to do the DBS (Dried Blood Spot) test make sure and review the collection procedures located on the USDTL site for DBS collection. They are the only company that does DBS for Peth. Have them open a fresh kit in front of you. It is CRITICAL that it who is doing this test follows the procedure it to the letter, including drying the card properly. If not, you could have a false positive. I have seen this happen with multiple people where the test collector did not follow procedure, resulting in a false positive. That resulted in multiple testing to prove abstaining from alcohol.

Here is the site for collections procedures: https://www.usdtl.com/testing/peth-alcohol-test-labs

As a back up and again I highly recommend this that you get a whole blood draw from LABCORP, you can order this from REQUEST A TEST. It will cost @ $140 but worth the cost.

The optimal situation is have a whole blood draw to begin. Again this can be ordered from Request A Test and is performed by LABCORP. Also you can have your board order the Peth test through Quest (they do whole blood) or you can go to the USDTL website and find which collection sites administers their Peth test, again opt for whole blood draw.

As an even 3rd layer of protection bring a witness with you as they do the DBS test and film it if possible. I did this for a friend of mine in case there was an issue. I know this is over the top but I have seen too many good people fall victim to the unreliability of this test. Good luck!

Miadd, BSN · Jul 17, 2021

They drew her blood. Can they still do Peth test? She had one beer 5 days prior to the test. They didn’t tell her what the blood draw was for

hopetoyouall · Jul 17, 2021

So they drew her blood but didn't tell her what tests are being done, is that correct? Can she tell from the chain of custody paperwork?

From what I have witnessed with friends in monitoring programs, all the tests that are being done is on the paperwork, because the monitoree (?) needs to keep a flowchart of their tests / test results / dates performed. She should know, so the correct tests are being done. The lack of transparency in these programs is astonishing. It's funny because you sometimes hear, this is "YOUR recovery program" or "YOU are responsible for recovery", okay soooo if that's the case then the monitoree should be fully versed in every test given, how is it done, what could impact the results. Your friend should demand to know what tests are being done.

Miadd, BSN · Jul 17, 2021

They just drew 2 gray top vials of blood and checked option 12 for the test. I am pretty sure they did a peth test. She has one beer Saturday and 1 beer 4 days prior to that. Do you think she will pass

Miadd, BSN · Jul 17, 2021

TNPAP said a drug screen needs to be done prior to being evaluated. But I am wondering if it was a drug screen or peth test

hopetoyouall · Jul 17, 2021

She can't ask her CM what tests are being performed? The PEth test looks back 21 days, but can also alcohol use detect 4-5 weeks back as well. The test is looking for binge drinking. Having said that, anything can happen with this test. Remember, It is NOT a FDA approved test, nor a requirement even for DOT testing. Ultimately, completely abstain from alcohol.

This is from the Labcorp site.

https://www.labcorp.com/tests/791584/phosphatidylethanol-peth

Miadd, BSN · Jul 17, 2021

She hasn’t been assigned a CM yet waiting for the evaluation this week. Why did they tell her they are doing a drug screen but more than likely did peth test?

hopetoyouall · Jul 17, 2021

Hard to say. It's my understanding that any drug testing requires Chain of Custody paperwork. She should go back to whomever requested the evaluation to get that info. Going forward don't submit to any drug screening tests unless she knows exactly what is being requested. She has to be her own medical advocate.