TOXICOLOGY TESTING
MDCS Inc. offers lab services to Court mandated clients and to any client that one of our medical doctors (General Practitioners, Psychiatrists, etc.) deem it medically necessary. Also, to any governmental or private agencies (i.e. Aviation, Trucking, etc.) who have in their policies and procedures, random drug testing for their employees. Toxicology tests are used to determine the type and approximate amount of legal and illegal substances an individual has ingested, injected or absorbed accidentally or deliberately, including prescription medication, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, alcohol and illegal drugs. This test can be used in emergency medical situations. It can be used to assess potential accidental or intentional overdose or poisoning. It can be used to determine the cause of drug intoxication, monitor drug dependency, and / or determine the presence of substances in an individual for legal or medical purposes. The lab checks for 10 drugs at once (amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine, Cannabinoids / THC, cocaine, ecstacy, methadone, opiates, phencyclidine, propoxyphene, specimen validity test). The advantage of grouping several tests that pertain to an unclear clinical condition is to decrease time and cost by avoiding subsequent additional testing; and enhances the chances for a correct diagnosis by having actionable information at hand when is need it. All our testing is performed using the latest and most advanced equipment available to test, screen, confirm and quantitate extraneous substances within any urine sample. Our Clinical Diagnostic and Toxicology panels are customized and driven by each of our client’s need. Each test in the panels is performed with latest techniques and technology hardware; from validation screening to confirmatory and quantification. All of them are performed under rigorous process protocols to prevent human error, and following our lab “standard operating lab procedures.” The value of panels is substantiated by building knowledge that leads to earlier detection, diagnosis and more effective treatment through relevant information that benefit patients. Every time our physicians deem it medically necessary, they request lab services in order to ensure the most appropriate treatments and therapies to our clients.
DNA TESTING & PHARMACOGENETICS
Physicians are moving away from the traditional ‘one size fits all’ approach to medical practice. The reason for this is the realization that a person’s genetics determines how they respond to medications. Everyone has a unique genetic make-up. A medication that works perfectly well for one patient may not work for another patient and may be detrimental in some cases. Genetic tests performed on patient’s specimens provide information that physicians can use when prescribing medication. This modern form of medical practice is known as Personalized Medicine. The genetic tests fall under the category of Pharmacogenetic Tests. Pharmacogenetic testing is a scientific approach to understand your genetic make-up that helps your doctor predict what medications will work best for you and the proper dosage. Your genetic information allows your physician to determine the best match between you and your medication. The Lab uses a simple cheek swab (buccal swab) to collect the DNA sample. It is a pain-less, convenient and needle-free specimen collection procedure. The swab is shipped to the Lab for analysis. Analysis of your DNA produces a thorough report allowing your physician to prescribe with confidence so you receive the most effective medication and dosage possible. The Lab leaves clinical decision making to the health care professional by offering specific gene and drug selection and multiple methods of testing based on medical necessity. Our comprehensive testing menus provide an expansive selection of tests to meet the unique needs of individual patients, as well as for health care professionals treating pain, substance use disorders and other psychiatric disorders.