Panels, Drug Classes and Reportable Substances

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Understanding Drug Classes and Reportable Substances in DTN

Using Amphetamines and Barbiturates as examples

DrugTestNetwork (DTN) reports drug test results based on Panels, which are defined sets of substances that appear on a test report. To support the wide variation in how laboratories report results—and how users want to present them—DTN separates drug classes from reportable substances
and allows flexible panel configuration.

This tutorial explains how those pieces work together and how different reporting styles affect the final report.

Core Concepts

Panels

A Panel is a record in the Panels table and includes:

  • Panel Name (abbreviation) – e.g., 5DSP
  • Description – the full panel name as referred to by the lab

Panels define what may appear on a report, not necessarily what must appear.

Drug Classes

A Drug Class is a logical grouping of related substances (for example,
Amphetamines or Barbiturates).

  • Drug classes provide grouping and interpretation
  • Drug classes may or may not be directly reportable
  • A drug class can contain one or many related substances

Every reportable substance must be associated with one drug class.

Reportable Substances

A reportable substance is an item that can appear as its own line on a report with a  Positive or Negative result.

Important points:

  • A reportable substance must be associated with a drug class
  • A drug class may also be reportable
  • Panels can include:
    • Only the drug class
    • Only specific substances
    • Both the class and its substances

This flexibility allows DTN to adapt to different lab reporting formats and user preferences.

Example 1: Amphetamines

Drug Class Structure

Drug Class: Amphetamines

Associated Substances: Amphetamine, Methamphetamine

Labs commonly report results as:

Amphetamines: Negative

…even though the testing actually evaluates Amphetamine and Methamphetamine separately.  DTN supports several valid panel configurations.

Panel Configuration Options

Option A: Drug Class Only

Panel includes:

  • Amphetamines

Result behavior:

Report shows only:

Amphetamines: Positive / Negative

If the user is manually entering results and knows the specific substance:

  • Amphetamine or Methamphetamine may be added to the report manually
  • This does not require them to be part of the original panel

Option B: Individual Substances Only

Panel includes:

  • Amphetamine
  • Methamphetamine

Result behavior:

Amphetamine: Positive
Methamphetamine: Negative

No overall “Amphetamines” line appears unless it was explicitly added to the panel.

Option C: Class + Substances

Panel includes:

  • Amphetamines
  • Amphetamine
  • Methamphetamine

Example result (Amphetamine positive):

Amphetamines: Positive
Amphetamine: Positive
Methamphetamine: Negative

This mirrors many lab reports and provides full transparency.

Key Amphetamines Rule

If any included substance is positive:

  • The drug class may also be reported as Positive
  • Whether negative component substances appear depends on:
    • Panel definition
    • Lab EDI data
    • User reporting preferences (manual entry)

Example 2: Barbiturates

Drug Class Structure

Drug Class: Barbiturates

Associated Substances: Amobarbital, Phenobarbital, Secobarbital, Butalbital, Butabarbital, Pentobarbital

This is a common case where users often want simpler reporting.

Typical Panel Setup

Panel includes:

  • Barbiturates

Default result:

Barbiturates: Negative

None of the individual substances appear unless needed.

Reporting a Specific Positive

If, for example, Amobarbital is positive:

  • Amobarbital must already exist as a reportable substance in DTN
  • It must be associated with the Barbiturates drug class
  • The user can then add it during result entry

Result may show:

Barbiturates: Positive
Amobarbital: Positive

Optional Simplification

If the user prefers:

  • They may remove Barbiturates from the report
  • Leaving only:
Amobarbital: Positive

DTN allows this so reports can match employer preferences, MRO guidance, or historical reporting formats.

Electronic Results (EDI) vs Manual Entry

EDI Results

When results are received electronically via EDI (Electronic Data Interchange):

  • Labs may send:
    • Drug class only
    • Drug class + positive substances
    • Drug class + both positive and negative components
  • DTN stores and reports exactly what the lab sends

Different labs behave differently—even for the same substances.

Manual Entry

When entering results manually:

  • Users may choose their reporting style
  • Drug classes and substances can be:
    • Added
    • Removed
    • Marked Positive or Negative independently
  • This allows correction, clarification, or simplification when needed

Design Principles Behind DTN’s Model

DTN intentionally separates:

  • Drug classes (logical grouping)
  • Reportable substances (what appears on reports)

This design:

  • Supports inconsistent lab reporting
  • Prevents forced over-reporting
  • Allows minimal or detailed reports
  • Keeps regulatory and clinical accuracy intact

Summary

  • Every reportable substance belongs to a drug class
  • Drug classes may or may not be reportable
  • Panels define what can appear, not what must appear
  • Users control reporting detail—especially during manual entry
  • Amphetamines show how classes and components may overlap
  • Barbiturates show why classes are often reported alone

This flexibility is essential for real-world drug testing workflows.

NOTE: You will find management features for Panels, Drug Classes and Reportable Items under the Other-Data menu.

Refer to sections:

  • Test Panels & Other Services
  • Reporting Classifications, Substances, Analytes, Metabolites & Validation Tests

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