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New Testing Service!
Confirmation testing of "instant (POCT) test results"
without another sample!
Western Slope is the only laboratory in the U.S. offering confirmation services using the original POCT sample without requiring that another sample be taken!
Click here for more information on this cost-saving new service!
 
Privacy Policy
Western Slope Laboratory complies to the highest degree possible with the security rules and standards established under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

For more information on Western Slope's Privacy Policy, click here.

 
Procedure: Definitions
As specified in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Western Slope Laboratory uses the standard data code sets and “electronic data interchange" (EDI) formats, and maintains reasonable and appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to insure the integrity and confidentiality of healthcare information.

For more information on Western Slope's HIPAA procedures and definitions, click here.

 
Quality Within!
Look for the "Schneider" mark of quality!
schneider quality check
 
 
 
Lab Tests Offered
test vial

Alcohol
Alcohol test vial EtG and EtS metabolite detection services with full quantitation included.

Urine-Based Alcohol Testing
At Western Slope, all alcohol testing includes EtS! We have the capability to measure metabolites not measurable by most laboratories in the USA. EtG (ethyl glucuronide) testing alone, offered by virtually every laboratory in the drug and alcohol testing industry, does not provide a dispositive confirmation of alcohol consumption within the detection window of 0 – 80 hours (average of 36-48). Coupling EtG with EtS (ethyl sulfate) does, since the EtG metabolite is often “masked” by urinary tract infections. The ability to detect EtS using LC/MS/MS separates Western Slope from other laboratories in the United States. Only LC/MS/MS is capable of doing this!
Western Slope has become a leader in alcohol testing—offering services that present unique opportunities for its customers.
Among its many customers, Western Slope provides EtG and EtS testing services for other laboratories providing services in the drug and alcohol testing industry. Generally speaking, this is due to the universal use of Gas Mass Spectrometry within the industry. GC/MS cannot be used to detect EtG and EtS.
There is also no wet chemistry/re-agent (EMIT) screening! The industry is seeing a growing number of laboratories offering EtG "screening" as opposed to full testing. The price might be slightly lower, but the accuracy is lower as well. In addition, if the positive results from "screening" have to be confirmed, why screen at all? Send your alcohol tests to Western Slope, we test every sample!
Drugs of Abuse
Drugs of abuse test vial In the case of testing for drugs of abuse, Western Slope has the ability to detect up to 50 different drugs—with expanded panels.

Saliva-based Drugs of Abuse Testing
Drugs of abuse test vial  

Urine-based Drugs of Abuse Testing
Full laboratory testing services using either saliva or urine samples are available for 30+ drugs or confirmation of positive results from instant result test kits (POCTs) with quantification included.
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals test vial  

Saliva-based Heavy Metals Testing
Heavy metals test vial  

Urine-based Heavy Metals Testing
Heavy metals testing is offered for both saliva and urine-based sample media. Testing is offered in four ever-expanding sets of test panels. The Toxic Metals panel will soon include Berylium, Chromium, and Thalium. If your needs require additional elements, just call and we can create a custom panel test.
Toxic Metals
Environmental Elements (Regulated)
Wellness Elements
Trace Essential Elements
  1. Arsenic
  2. Cadmium
  3. Lead
  4. Mercury
  5. Beryllium
  6. Chromium
  7. Thalium
  1. Arsenic
  2. Barium
  3. Cadmium
  4. Chromium
  5. Lead
  6. Mercury
  7. Nickel
  8. Selenium
  9. Silver
  10. Zinc
  1. Magnesium
  2. Manganese
  3. Selenium
  1. Aluminum
  2. Antimony
  3. Cobalt
  4. Copper
  5. Germanium
  6. Molybdenum
  7. Nickel
  8. Tin
  9. Vanadium
  10. Zinc
Pharmacology

797 Analytical Services for Chronic Pain Management
To effectively and accurately assist individuals with the dosing of epidural or intrathecal solutions, specific standards are in place to control the distribution, dosage, and management of their prescriptions—USP NF (797) Pain Drug (CSP). Western Slope Laboratory can provide the concentration accuracy assay needed to assure purity and correct dosing. This includes Class II Drugs: Hydromorphone, Morphone, Hydrocodone, Fentanyl, Sufentanil, and Meperidine; Class III Drugs: Ketamine, and Buprenophine; and Class IV Drugs: Midazolam. Western Slope is approved and licensed by the Drug Enforcement Agency (State and Federal) and ensures all standards for USP NF (797) Pain Drug (CSP) are followed.
5-FU
5FU Test Western Slope's new 5-FU test provides results equal to or better than more expensive tests.

Testing for 5-FU Tolerance
Field trials have proven the effectiveness of 5-FU in treating certain types of cancer. However, 9% of all GI tract patients, and some breast cancer patients, cannot metabolize this powerful but expensive drug—causing significant health risks and/or death. Current tests cost as much as $18,000 each. However, Western Slope Laboratory is currently developing a simple but highly accurate test that may cost as little at $1,500—removing the cost burden from a 5-FU decision. With an accuracy equal to or better than more expensive tests, Western Slope makes it possible for more patients to consider the 5-FU option while ensuring their personal safety.

POCT Confirmation Tests

Western Slope routinely confirms the results of POCTs by using the sample contained in the POCT itself! Additional samples are not required.
No other laboratory has conducted the studies necessary to insure accuracy when testing samples retrieved from "instant" Point-of-Care Tests (POCTs).
Shipping is easier and costs less. End users appreciate the economies and simplicity. Chain-of-custody hand-offs are reduced.

 POCT Test Kits
Steroids
Steroid Test Our urine collection device is as innovative as our testing process—a syringe within a sealable tube minimizes accidental spills or transport damage.
Steroid Abuse Testing
Anabolic steroids are an important class of abused drugs spotlighted in recent media. Western Slope has the most accurate technology available for the steroid testing community—Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). This research quality, laboratory equipment can accurately quantify substances well below cutoff levels. Each test is analyzed with our proven technology, and with no screens!

The urine collection device developed by Western Slope Laboratory is as innovative as our testing process. A syringe within a sealable tube minimizes accidental spills or specimens destroyed in transport. This design provides ample volume of specimen for the lab and is less bulky than urine transport cups. Because Western Slope’s collection devices are compact and lightweight, transportation costs are reduced.

Steroid Abuse Test Panel
Boldenone (Equipoise)
Clenbuterol*
Clostebol (Steranobol)
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Epitestosterone
Flouxymesterone (Halotestin)
6ß-Hydroxyboldenone*
6ß-Hydroxyflouxymesterone*
3 ' Hydroxystanozolol*
Methyloxandrolone*
19-Norandrosterone*
Oxandrolone (Anavar)
Oxymesterone (Oranabol)
Stanozolol (Winstrol)
Testosterone
Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG)

*Metabolite
Customized Steroid or Drug Panels are
Available Upon Request!
 
Technology
GC/MS/MS v. LC/MS/MS...
...Which technology is really the "Gold Standard?"
Gas chromatography separates drugs based on how easy they evaporate (volatilize). Unfortunately some substances, such as drugs of abuse, do not volatilize.

However, liquid chromatography separates drugs and introduces them into the mass spectrometer.
The sample first passes through a mass filter which allows only the drugs we are testing for to pass through.
The drug is then broken apart with an argon gas stream. The fragments of any drug present then pass into a second mass filter and are then measured.
No sample pretreatment is necessary, removing one of the problem steps in the GC/MS method.
Only when drugs of abuse are present, are compounds noted by the instrument.
No compound matching is required.
The results are 99.9% accurate.
Liquid chromatography is the true "Gold Standard!"
Western Slope Laboratory
Western Slope Laboratory has four (4) liquid chromatographs in their primary facility.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Western Slope Laboratory is a wholly owned subsidiary of Coventry Diagnostics, LLC