Genesis Reference Laboratories

Xylazine, an α2-agonist, is a veterinary tranquilizer that is increasingly found in nonmedical opioids in the US and is associated with increased risk for skin ulcerations and complications associated with opioid overdose reversal with naloxone (as a nonopioid sedative) and opioid withdrawal management. Qualitative research suggests the sedative effect of xylazine may be preferred by some due to its perceived ability to prolong the effect of fentanyl. However, knowledge is limited regarding public awareness, preference, adverse effects, and changes in the opioid withdrawal syndrome with xylazine exposure. A cross-sectional study evaluated these aspects of xylazine adulteration among patients entering substance use disorder treatment. This study provides insight into xylazine’s presence in the opioid market based on perceptions of individuals in substance use disorder treatment. Findings indicate a widespread lack of awareness among persons using opioids regarding risk for xylazine exposure and potential inclusion of xylazine within their opioid supply. Preference for xylazine was associated with increased adverse effects. The lack of awareness of xylazine, coupled with reported hazardous adverse effects and altered withdrawal symptoms, emphasizes the urgent necessity for harm reduction initiatives to increase public awareness of xylazine and help mitigate xylazine exposure and associated consequences. To access the original article, please see the following: https://lnkd.in/extQDfw5 To learn more about how Genesis Reference Laboratories can provide urine and oral fluid toxicology testing to aid in the detection of many substances of abuse and adulterants including xylazine please call: (844) 510-0194.⁠ #xylazine #vetmedicine #opioids #overdose #drugtesting #genesisreferencelabs #diagnostictesting #orlandomedical #medlab

Congratulations to our GRL teammates celebrating their work anniversaries this month! Thank you for your service to GRL and we look forward to working with you in the years to come! #anniversary #workiversary #worklife #workfamily #celebration #grateful #genesisreferencelabs #orlandomedical #medlab

Florida attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians about a rise in deaths nationwide from bromazolam, a potent novel benzodiazepine. The drug is gaining popularity throughout the country and is reportedly being mixed with illicit fentanyl. According to the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE), bromazolam went from being present in only 1% of toxicology cases submitted to the National Medical Services Labs in 2021 to 13% in mid-2022. In 2021, bromazolam made up just 4% of novel benzodiazepines in circulation. However, by the first six months of 2023, the CFSRE estimated that bromazolam’s presence rose to 73% of the supply. Side effects of bromazolam intoxication include loss of coordination, drowsiness, dizziness, respiratory depression, coma and death. Bromazolam may be laced with fentanyl, making the drug even more potent and dangerous. The CFSRE reported that 83% of its samples tested positive for fentanyl. To access the original news release, please see: https://lnkd.in/gCAVUSmb To learn more about how Genesis Reference Laboratories can provide toxicology testing to aid in the detection of many substances including bromazolam and other novel benzodiazepines, please call: (844) 510-0194.⁠ #bromazolam #attorneygeneral #floridanews #benzos #overdose #drugtesting #genesisreferencelabs #diagnostictesting #orlandomedical #medlab

May 6-12 is National Nurse's Week where we celebrate the incredible nurses who embody the spirit of compassion in whatever sector of healthcare they work in. This year's theme is "Nurses Make the Difference." Join us in celebrating the contributions of all nurses for the vital role they play in healthcare. #nationalnursesweek #nursesweek2024 #nursesmakethedifference #americannursesassociation #thankyou #genesisreferencelabs

Happy birthday to our GRL family celebrating birthdays this month! Wishing you the best on your special day! #birthday #celebration #teammate #workfamily #genesisreferencelabs #orlandomedical #medlab

A recent survey compares the reported use of drug testing kits and MDMA adulteration on adults entering randomly selected electronic dance music (EDM) events in New York City between the years 2017 and 2022. Ecstasy or Molly (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA]) is a drug commonly used by people who attend electronic dance music events at nightclubs and dance festivals. Drug checking has gained popularity in recent years to test for adulterants, but epidemiology studies are needed to estimate potential shifts in prevalence of drug checking to further inform harm reduction efforts. In this study, those reporting past-year ecstasy use were asked if they tested their ecstasy in the past year using a drug testing kit and whether they found out or suspected their ecstasy contained other drugs. The use of drug testing kits has increased among EDM event attendees who use ecstasy and, at the same time, among those who had tested their ecstasy, suspected adulteration has decreased. Continued interest in understanding ecstasy contents among this population suggests the need for formal drug checking services. To access this study, see Increases in the use of drug testing kits among nightclub and festival attendees in New York City who use ecstasy, 2017–2022 The services Genesis Reference Laboratories provides do not include the testing of drug material to evaluate composition, however, Genesis can provide urine and oral fluid toxicology testing to aid in the detection of many substances including MDMA and multiple common adulterants. To learn more, please call: (844) 510-0194.⁠ #drugtesting #mdma #rave #musicfestivals #nightlife #genesisreferencelabs #diagnostictesting #orlandomedical #medlab

National Institutes of Health (NIH) supported findings suggest the need to expand definitions of addiction treatment success beyond abstinence. According to an analysis of data from 13 randomized clinical trials of treatments for stimulant use disorders involving methamphetamine and cocaine, reducing stimulant use was associated with significant improvement in measures of health and recovery among people with stimulant use disorder, even if they did not achieve total abstinence. Researchers found that transitioning from high use (five or more days a month) to lower use (one to four days a month) was associated with lower levels of drug craving, depression, and other drug-related challenges compared to no change in use. These results suggest that reduction in use of methamphetamine or cocaine, in addition to abstinence, is a meaningful surrogate or intermediate clinical outcome in medication development for stimulant addiction. Unlike other substance use disorders, such as opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder, there are currently no U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmacological treatments for stimulant use disorders. For more information on this official FDA news release, see Reduced drug use is a meaningful treatment outcome for people with stimulant use disorders | National Institutes of Health (NIH) To learn more about how Genesis Reference Laboratories can provide urine and oral fluid toxicology testing to aid in the detection of many substances including commonly abused stimulants, please call: (844) 510-0194.⁠ #addiction #treatment #stimulantusedisorder #NIH #drugtesting #genesisreferencelabs #diagnostictesting #orlandomedical #medlab

Congratulations to our LCS of the Month for April, Steve Maestas! "I’ve been a medical rep and manager for most of my career. I came to Genesis right before the pandemic to help with cancer swabs and loved the people here. Everything changed to Covid swabs and the ability to serve the community. All of a sudden it’s four years later and my team is what makes me good at what I do. I wouldn’t exist here without the Colorado team. Christina Persinger and Frank Lopez make me look way better than I’d be on my own." #lcs #employeespotlight #congratulations #teamwork #workculture #genesisreferencelabs #orlandomedical #medlab

Substance use often begins during adolescence, placing youths at risk for fatal overdose and substance use disorders (SUD) in adulthood. Understanding the motivations reported by adolescents for using alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs and the persons with whom they use these substances could guide strategies to prevent or reduce substance use and its related consequences among adolescents. In February, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) on the Characteristics of Alcohol, Marijuana, and Other Drug Use Among Persons Aged 13–18 Years Being Assessed for Substance Use Disorder Treatment — United States, 2014–2022. This cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents being assessed for SUD treatment in the United States during 2014–2022, to examine self-reported motivations for using substances and the persons with whom substances were used. Their findings suggest that interventions related to reducing stress and addressing mental health concerns might reduce these leading motivations for substance use among adolescents. Education for adolescents about harm reduction strategies, including the danger of using drugs while alone and how to recognize and respond to an overdose, could reduce the risk for fatal overdose. More on this official CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, see https://lnkd.in/gqBfNGuE To learn more about how Genesis Reference Laboratories can provide urine and oral fluid toxicology testing to aid in medication monitoring, detection of substance use, and more, please call: (844) 510-0194.⁠ #substanceabuse #adolescentdruguse #overdose #endoverdose #cdc #morbidityandmortality #genesisreferencelabs #diagnostictesting #orlandomedical #medlab

Each day, laboratory personnel around the world provide essential healthcare services and information to both patients and providers. During Lab Week, we want to recognize the important role lab workers play in the healthcare environment. Here at Genesis Reference Labs, we pride ourselves on having a national presence in the lab industry while providing service to both patients and providers with a local feel. Happy Lab Week! #labweek #healthcare #nationalpresence #localfeel #genesisreferencelabs #orlandomedical #diagnostictesting #medlab