Test cups for drugs of abuse were created to provide an integrated testing method that would reduce contact with the urine specimen and decrease testing time with less mess and fewer components to handle.
Specimen handling can be a limited hazard with possible exposure to infectious diseases (HIV etc). For example, if a urine sample contained blood within the specimen and there was an accidental splash to the mouth, the contents of the splash could pose a risk depending on the level of exposure.
Any bodily fluid visibly contaminated with blood should be considered capable of transmitting the following diseases: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Urine drug testing cups help eliminate the concerns of exposure. Be sure to protect yourself by taking any precautions necessary such as medical gloves, a lab coat, and a proper facial shield.
Keep your eyes focused on the specimen for evaluation. If blood is identified be ready to react accordingly by having an understanding of the proper protocols to follow. Keep in mind: a urine specimen may not be dark blood red, it’s color could be orange or even pink, and variations are possible depending on how much blood is present.
Understand why blood can be found in urine
There are a few reasons why blood can be found in a urine specimen. Urine originates in the kidneys, but, it can also start in the urinary tract, such as:
- Ureters are tubes that connect from the kidneys to the bladder.
- The bladder works as a storage container that contains urine until it is ready to be flushed through the Urethra.
- A Urethra again is another tube that releases urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Medical Causes of <hematuria< font=””>Hematuria</hematuria<>: (The medical name for blood in urine)
- Bladder Cancer – Blood identified in urine could be the first sign of bladder cancer but Other factors can be responsible as well.
- Kidney Infections
- Tumors & Kidney Stones
What are the components that make a drug testing cup?
- Urine specimen collection container
- Color-Coded testing strips that can identify from 3 to 14 drugs
- Screw-on lid
- Temperature indicator strip for verifying the temperature of the urine specimen
- Test results display window
- Built-in control that communicates whether the test is functioning
- Label to record the date & name of the teste
How do I perform a drug test using a test cup?
These are general instructions but make sure to follow the instructions given by the manufacturer as each product could differ in how to perform the test procedure.
- Tear foil bag open, remove test cup. Then label the cup with the donor’s information using ink from a pen.
- Open the lid of the test cup. The donor should provide a urine specimen at a minimum of 30ml but no more than 110ml or as your instructions provided.
- After the urine specimen has been collected, attach the lid securely. Next, verify the urine temperature by reading color on temperature indicator strip making sure that it is within [90 to 100 ‘F]
- Peel of the label from the results window revealing the color-coded test strips and verify the adulterant strip using the color chart provided. If results indicate that adulteration has occurred, discard the cup without reading the results and start over again by asking the donor to collect another sample with a new test kit. Adulterant strips are optional and may be applicable for your test cup.
- Once the steps have been repeated, Wait for 5 minutes to read the drug test result. DO NOT INTERPRET RESULT AFTER 10 MINUTES.
How do I read test results accurately and with confidence? 
There can be three possible outcomes from a drug test:
- Negative
- Positive
- Invalid
Negative Test Result
Two lines of any color intensity appear. A colored line appears in the Control Region (C) and a colored line appears in the Test Region (T). Even if the line that appears is faint, the result should be considered negative. The possible shades of colored lines in the (T) Region can vary.
*Example of faint lines on test results*
Negative means that the concentrations in the urine sample are below the designated cut-off levels for a particular drug tested. A negative drug test result does not always mean there are no drugs present in the person being tested, it means there are no drugs present above the cut-off limit.
Positive Test Result
One-Line appears in the Control Region (C) and NO line appears in the Test Region (T). Positive means that the drug concentration in the urine sample is greater than the designated cut-off level for a specific drug and additional confirmatory drug testing may be needed. Please check your instructions for more information on the cut-off levels being used in your test.
What is an Invalid test result?
No line appears in the Control Region (C). The most likely reasons for this are insufficient specimen volume, incorrect procedural techniques or a faulty test. Please read the directions again and repeat the test with a new test card.
The drug tests listed below are the preferred method of testing among professionals simply because modern technology has made the process so much better. It does not require an elevated skill level, anyone can administer the test. The instructions are elementary. The procedure card displays step by step informational guidance.
Follow the instructions, initiate the test, read the results and you are done (make sure to follow the package insert provided.) The normal time that it takes to complete the test is cut in half. Urine drug test cups offer protection and can detect multiple drugs simultaneously, up to 14 drugs per testing.
All of our urine drug tests are FDA cleared (unless otherwise stated) and have built-in controls located at the top of the results window. The purpose of a control is to communicate a definite yes or no answer to whether the device is functional.
Adulterant testing is available and located in the test result box so that you can read drug and adulterant negative or positive readings which make it a snap to record your results. Using an integrated testing cup will give you a fast and convenient method to perform a not so desirable task.
