Establishing a Relationship with a Laboratory

You should establish a relationship with a laboratory before starting a buprenorphine practice. Patients will need blood and urine work-ups at the initial screening as well as periodic drug screening throughout treatment. Make sure that you choose a lab that can do the testing you require, i.e buprenorphine testing, oxycodone, methadone, etc.

Before starting a buprenorphine practice, you should assemble a list of laboratories in your area that can perform the testing that is needed.

Consider the following guidelines when working with labs:

• Verify any time requirements that you have if you need lab results processed quickly. Using a lab that has a short turn-around time is most beneficial since it is best to address a positive (or negative) urine screen quickly with the patient.
• When communicating with the lab about specific patients, remember to keep your state's confidentiality laws in mind regarding substance abuse treatment.
• There are in-office urine drug testing kits available. The advantage is that the results are available at the time of the office visit. Generally these testing kits are CLIA-waived, but check with local regulations.