Last updated : December 16, 2024
In drug testing, panels are the different types of drugs that are being screened. The Department of Transportation uses a 5-panel test and it’s the most common, because it covers some of the most commonly abused drugs. A 10-panel drug test covers a slightly larger range of drugs and is useful as a post-accident screening tool. “Panel” simply refers to the number of drugs being tested, but the 5 and 10 panel varieties commonly do have common drug test groupings.
5-Panel Drug Test
5-panel tests are popular in pre-employment testing, Federal employee drug tests, in professional and amateur sports, drug recovery programs, hospitals where admitted patients are suspected of drug abuse, criminal probation programs and the DOT. Testing for many of the most commonly abused addictive drugs makes it a common choice for businesses and organizations desiring a drug-free environment.
The five drugs tested for in the most common 5-panel drug test are:
- Marijuana
- Amphetamines
- Opiates
- Cocaine
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
A test of this type can be conducted using urine or saliva samples, either in a lab or on-site. Mobile drug testing services can often perform the tests and provide quicker turnaround time on results, in some cases, providing them instantly.
Each drug tested and sample type has different detection times. Marijuana can be detected in a regular users urine sample months after the last usage. PCP can be detected up to eight days after use while opiates, cocaine, and amphetamines have shorter windows of detection.
10-Panel Drug Test
More than simply testing for additional drugs, a 10-panel test increases the size of the net, including more of the most commonly abused drugs. In addition to marijuana, amphetamines, opiates, cocaine, and PCP, the 10-panel drug test includes:
- Methadone
- Methaqualone
- Benzodiazepines
- Barbiturates
- Oxycodone
- Propoxyphene
The increased number of drugs in this screening make it an effective post-accident test. Like the 5-panel variety, it can be performed by collecting either a urine or saliva sample and be done either at a lab or more efficiently by a mobile drug testing company. Saliva samples can be quick and non-invasive and test for recent use. Testing urine gives a greater window of usage history, but requires more specialized collection procedures and handling.
Drug testing can help businesses by reducing workplace accidents and absenteeism, increasing morale and productivity, and lowering insurance costs. Statistics have shown nearly ¾ of all drug users are employed. One of every six fatal workplace accidents is drug or alcohol related and that figure is higher in industrial fields. Drug abusers are five times more likely to submit a worker’s compensation claim while companies engaging in drug testing programs have seen a drop of workplace injury rates of around 50 percent within two years of implementing a drug-free workplace plan. Choosing to commit your company to a drug-free environment is the wisest choice. Consulting with a professional drug testing service to discover if a 5-panel or 10-panel test is the right fit for your workplace is the next step.
