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Test Directory

Drug Screen Panel 5, Meconium

Test Summary

Meconium contains the amniotic fluid swallowed by the fetus in the last half of pregnancy and is released as the first stools after birth. Meconium is easier to collect than neonatal urine and provides a much longer window of exposure of up to 20 weeks. Meconium is an effective biological marker of in utero drug exposure, and can provide insights leading to improved neonatal outcomes, as well as provide evidence to ensure appropriate rehabilitation of mothers suffering from addiction. The test is a screening assay using a homogeneous enzyme immunoassay method of analysis. Presumptive positive screen results are reflexed to a more specific and sensitive mass spectroscopy (MS) methodology. Test results equal to or greater than cutoff are reported as positive and results less than cutoff are reported as negative. Quantitative values cannot be used to assess the amount of drug that the neonate was exposed.

Aliases

  • N/A

Specimen Collection

Special Instructions

N/A

Preferred Specimen

5 grams meconium submitted in a sterile leak-proof feces container

Minimum Volume

1 g

Instructions

N/A

Patient Preparation

N/A

Storage

N/A

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

  • Room temperature: 48 hours
  • Refrigerated: 7 days
  • Frozen: 30 days

Limitations

N/A

Other Acceptable Specimens

N/A

Unacceptable Specimens

N/A

Order Code

MECDS5

EPIC (Premier) Code

LAB641

Includes

Amphetamines, Cocaine Metabolite, Marijuana, Opiates, PCP (Phencyclidine)

CPT Code

  • 80307

Billing Code

  • 671021

CPT Statement

Methodology

Immunoassay with Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

FDA Status

Confirmation: This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Physician Attestation of Informed Consent

N/A

Testing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly VA, 20153

Department

Reference Testing

Reference Range

See Laboratory Report

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

Monday - Friday; Report available: 2 days

Specimen Collection

Special Instructions

N/A

Preferred Specimen

5 grams meconium submitted in a sterile leak-proof feces container

Minimum Volume

1 g

Instructions

N/A

Patient Preparation

N/A

Storage

N/A

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

  • Room temperature: 48 hours
  • Refrigerated: 7 days
  • Frozen: 30 days

Limitations

N/A

Other Acceptable Specimens

N/A

Unacceptable Specimens

N/A

Billing

CPT Code

  • 80307

Billing Code

  • 671021

CPT Statement

Result Information

Methodology

Immunoassay with Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Testing Laboratory

N/A

Reference Range

See Laboratory Report

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

Monday - Friday; Report available: 2 days