For those outside the workplace drug and alcohol testing industry, reviewing a laboratory report can feel like navigating a foreign language. A quick glance and you may feel the urge to mutter ‘cosa diavolo significa’, which roughly translated means ‘what the heck does this mean’!
At Integrity Sampling, we understand how difficult it can be for most people to interpret drug and alcohol test reports, but we also understand it’s a critical part of the process. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help employers, managers and HR professionals confidently understand what lab reports are saying—and what they’re not.
What do terms that mention test results mean?
You may see terms like negative result on the lab report, which seems clear. But what about non-negative result? Here’s a cheat sheet on the common test result terms:
- Negative result – The sample is clear. No drugs or alcohol were detected above the threshold levels set by Australian Standards.
- Non-negative result – The initial screening has detected something that may be a drug. However, this is not confirmation of use.
- Confirmed positive (alcohol) – A positive alcohol result is recorded when two breath tests, spaced several minutes apart, both exceed your workplace’s set limit—whether that’s 0.00% or 0.05%.
- Confirmed positive (drugs) – A laboratory test has verified the presence of a drug. The report may note whether the levels are consistent with prescribed use or suggest otherwise.
One of the things you will see above is the use of the term confirmed positive, which is important, particularly when it comes to drug testing. That’s because while workplace drug testing equipment is accurate and reliable, it’s not 100% infallible. This is why for all initial results that are non-negative, a further sample is sent to a NATA-accredited laboratory. Here, sophisticated testing equipment is used to identify and quantify substances.
Other terms you may see in a report
- Chain of custody or COC – The number assigned to a sample to ensure privacy and traceability. Personal names don’t appear on lab reports.
- ng/mL – Nanograms per millilitre. This unit measures the concentration of substances in the sample.
- Cut-off levels – Thresholds below which the presence of a drug is not considered significant and will result in a negative report.
- “>” and “<” symbols – These indicate whether a substance is above or below the reporting threshold.
Not all positives are what they seem
If you see a confirmed positive on the laboratory report, you may think this means your employee has taken an illegal drug, but this is not necessarily the case. A positive result can also relate to prescribed medications, such as pain relief, ADHD medication, medicinal cannabis or sleeping aids. In some cases, you may see a note in a lab report that says something along the lines of ‘Concentration consistent with therapeutic use.’
It’s important to note a few things when it comes to prescribed medications:
- They can be taken legally (with a prescription) or illegally (without a prescription).
- Even if taken with a prescription, medication can be used against directions (e.g. taking multiple tablets instead of one or not waiting adequate time between doses). This is likely to increase the effects, which can be a safety issue, and increase the chances of a failed drug test.
- Lab tests may not be able to determine what medication was taken. For example, a positive opioid result can come from a prescribed medication or heroin.
- Lab reports cannot determine whether prescribed medication was taken legally or illegally, or as directed.
- Labs can’t determine the intent behind the use of the drug, how much was taken and when it was taken.
- They simply report what was detected, at what level, and if that result complies with Australian Standards.
Workplace drug and alcohol testing sample type
Laboratory reports may also indicate a sample type.
While urine, saliva, blood and hair can all be used to conduct workplace drug testing, urine and saliva are most used. Integrity Sampling recommends saliva drug testing for several reasons, including the important fact that it detects recent drug use.
Need help interpreting the results?
While the laboratory report should be relatively clear and easy to understand, once you know the jargon and terms, some clients need help. And that’s where Integrity Sampling can step in. We can help you interpret the lab report.
In addition, if further medical interpretation is required—for example in complex cases or where results are disputed—we work with OHS MED, a specialist Medical Review Office (MRO) led by Dr. Sarah Moss.
Quick reference: Terminology cheat sheet
| Term | Meaning |
| Negative | No drugs or alcohol detected above threshold |
| Non-negative | Requires lab confirmation to determine presence |
| Confirmed positive (alcohol) | Confirmation breath test exceeds set limit |
| Confirmed positive (drug) | Lab confirms drug presence |
| Chain of custody | Number assigned to a sample |
| Ng/ml | A unit of measuring referring to nanograms per millilitre |
| Cut-off levels | Below the threshold and therefore a negative result |
| “>” and “<” symbols | Above or below the reporting threshold |
Final thoughts on interpreting laboratory reports
Remember, a lab report is just one piece of the workplace drug and alcohol testing puzzle. It doesn’t dictate what action should be taken. Your workplace drug and alcohol policy should guide your next steps.
Still unsure? Integrity Sampling is here to help. We can explain your report, assist with policy alignment, and—when needed—connect you with an MRO for expert interpretation.
FEATURED IMAGE CAPTION:
Ever looked at a workplace drug or alcohol test lab report and thought: “What the heck does this mean?” You’re not alone!
