Research Article

Point of Care Immunoassay Drugs of Abuse Screening in a Post Mortem Population

Authors: Hartel Paul, O’Connell Sinead, O’Grady Liam, Molloy Louise, Cassella John, Dowling Geraldine

DOI: 10.33425/3066-3830.1008

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Abstract

To test the utility of point-of-care immunoassay testing of drugs of abuse in a post-mortem population, we compared immunoassay near-body drugs of abuse results with liquid/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmatory testing. While immunoassay results are subject to false positives from decompositional amines and prescription medications, negative screening tests can produce significant cost-savings and allow for timelier autopsy reports where confirmatory testing is unnecessary. This would also help ease the burden on reference and/or State laboratories and save approximately 500,000 euros per annum across the health system.

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