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HelpOrder Code AMPMX Amphetamine-Type Stimulants Confirmation, Chain of Custody, Meconium
Useful For
Detecting in utero drug exposure up to 5 months before birth
Chain of custody is required whenever the results of testing could be used in a court of law. Its purpose is to protect the rights of the individual contributing the specimen by demonstrating that it was under the control of personnel involved with testing the specimen at all times; this control implies that the opportunity for specimen tampering would be limited. Since the evidence of illicit drug use during pregnancy can be cause for separating the baby from the mother, a complete chain of custody ensures that the test results are appropriate for legal proceedings.
Additional Tests
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| COCH | Chain of Custody Processing | No | Yes |
Reporting Name
Amphetamines Confirmation, CoC, MSpecimen Type
MeconiumSpecimen Required
Supplies: Chain of Custody Meconium Kit (T653) includes the specimen containers, seals, and documentation required.
Specimen Volume: 1 g (approximately 1 teaspoon)
Collection Instructions: Collect entire random meconium specimen.
Additional Information:
1. Specimen that arrives with a broken seal does not meet the chain of custody requirements.
2. The laboratory recommends sending chain-of-custody specimens by overnight shipment.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.3 g (approximately 1/4 teaspoon)
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meconium | Frozen (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Ambient | 28 days | ||
| Refrigerated | 28 days |
Reject Due To
| Grossly bloody | Reject; Pink OK |
Reference Values
Negative
Positives are reported with a quantitative liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) result.
Cutoff concentrations for LC-MS/MS testing:
Amphetamine: 20 ng/g
Methamphetamine: 20 ng/g
3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine: 20 ng/g
3,4-Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine: 20 ng/g
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine: 20 ng/g
Method Description
Meconium is mixed with internal standard and extracted with methanol. The methanolic extract is further processed by solid phase extraction. The extract is analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
80324
80359
G0480 (if appropriate)
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Forms
1. Chain of Custody Request is included in the Chain-of-Custody Meconium Kit (T653).
2. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.