Toxicology is one of the oldest disciplines of clinical chemistry. Clinical Toxicology focuses on pathological processes that are caused by exposure of a patient to a toxin and includes subsequent evaluation and treatment of the patient.
The Clinical Toxicology section of the UC Health Clinical Laboratory is currently providing several key Toxicology tests that are available to all Hospitals and health care providers in the Greater Cincinnati area. These include Ethylene Glycol and Glycolic Acid and Volatiles analysis for acetone, methanol and isopropanol. Drug screening using a rapid test device is also currently available. The service will soon be expanded to include comprehensive drug screening and confirmation as well as quantitation of therapeutic drugs not currently available in this area. The Toxicology section is expected to provide key consultative service to physicians in emergency medicine, internal medicine, and pain management.
Major highlights of Toxicology section of the UC Health Clinical Laboratory:
- Drugs of Abuse Screening using the QuickTox® Dip Card
- Qualitative urine screen
- Utilizes competitive immunoassay technology
- Test menu includes: barbiturates, benzodiazepines, phencyclidine, opiates, tricyclic antidepressants, canabinoids, oxycodone, cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine and MDMA
- Volatile Drug Analysis
- Unique service provided only by UC Health in the Tristate area
- Quantitative serum testing
- Utilizes Gas Chromatography/Flame Ionization Detection (GC/FID)
- Test menu includes: ethanol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, and ethylene glycol