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Detection of drugs in patients with overdose: comparison between skin surface air sampling and thin layer
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
We compared the efficacy of skin surface air sampling with thin layer chromatography (TLC) in detecting drugs in patients admitted to hospital with a history of drug overdose. The methodology utilizes air samples in contact with skin surfaces and ion-mobility spectrometry. Fifty patients consented to skin surface air sampling and provided urine samples. Of the 51 drugs identified in 43 patients, air sampling detected just over 50% of the drugs, TLC identified about 90%. The rate of identification was greater in patients ingesting uncoated tablets. Skin surface air sampling is a useful initial screening method for drugs especially when they are ingested in tablet or powder form. The methodology is rapid, noninvasive and can screen for multiple drugs.