Raising awareness of sexual health on National STIQ Day
Raising awareness of sexual health on National STIQ Day
National STIQ Day
National STIQ day was introduced in 2010 and every year since then the 14th of January has been dedicated to raising awareness for STIQ. The purpose is to emphasize the importance of sexual health and to encourage everyone to get regular health checks.
Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs) are infections passed from one person to another through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex, or genital contact.
Lack of symptoms
More and more people in the UK are catching STIs and each year the infection rate is rising. According to The World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 million STIs are acquired every day and the majority of these STIs have no symptoms.1 Therefore you could have an STI and not be aware. 70% of women and 50% of men show no symptoms after contracting Chlamydia which is the most common STI condition in the UK.2
Even though the majority of the time symptoms of STIs aren’t visible, there can be signs of having an STI, including unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or anus, pain when peeing, lumps or skin growth around the genitals, a rash, unusual bleeding, itchiness or blisters around the genitals.3
What to do when you catch an STI
Anyone can catch an STI regardless of what age you are, your sexuality or how many sexual partners you have, as it only takes one sexual encounter to put you at the risk of catching an STI. A shocking fact from Public Health England shows that a case of chlamydia or gonorrhea is diagnosed in a young person every 4 minutes in England, and over 144,000 diagnoses of these sexually transmitted infections are seen in people aged 15 to 24 in 2017. 4
It is extremely important to get routinely tested. The earlier the diagnosis is made and treated the less chance of having long-term effects including infertility.
Randox Biosciences 10-plex STI test
Randox Biosciences would like to take the opportunity to support STIQ day by offering our CE marked 10-plex STI test, a cost-effective solution for accurate STI testing. This test detects the following 10 infections simultaneously from a single patient urine sample.
- Neisseria gonorrhoea (NG)
- Mycoplasma genitalium (MG)
- Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU)
- Chlamydia trachomatis (CT)
- Trichomonas vaginalis (TV)
- Haemophilus ducreyi (HD)
- Mycoplasma hominis (MH)
- Treponema pallidum (TP)
- Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)
- Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2)
Does your laboratory or clinic carry out STI testing? Our molecular analyser, the Bosch Vivalytic, powered by our award winning Biochip Array Technology, could be the diagnostic solution.
For more information about our STI Arrays or Vivalytic email: info@randoxbiosciences.com
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis)
- http://www.national-awareness-days.com/stiq-day/
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/an-sti-is-diagnosed-in-a-young-person-every-4-minutes-in-england
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sexually-transmitted-infections-stis/
We Are Randox | Staff Newsletter 2018 Edition
Staff Newsletter 2018 Edition
We are delighted to be able to share with you the bumper 2018 edition of our We Are Randox staff newsletter!
Click here for a range of company and staff news from the past year – including the world’s greatest steeplechase The Randox Health Grand National, Randox Teoranta’s Open Day in Donegal and, of course, our annual Christmas Raffle and Santa Visit– at which we raised an impressive £3,380, taking our fundraising total to £8,846.98 from July to December 2018!
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Meeting Your Drug and Alcohol Testing Needs with RTS
Workplace drug and alcohol testing
At Randox Testing Services, workplace drug and alcohol testing is one part of the services we provide. Our aim is to raise awareness around the dangers of substance misuse and help companies make their workplaces safer. However, our service offering also extends to other sectors.
We provide comprehensive testing for those in the medico-legal market and private individuals. The testing requirements for these markets differ significantly, with unique circumstances that need to be taken into consideration.
Medico-legal testing for drugs and alcohol may be required by various professional bodies involved in child custody cases, care proceedings or child protection cases. In cases regarding divorce and children, a dispute may arise during the process of discussions involving the custody of the child. Drug and alcohol testing may be sought if there has been a substance abuse claim against a parent fighting for custody or visitation.
Drug and alcohol testing is important to ensure child protection from the detrimental effects of parental substance misuse and to ensure they have a quality of life they deserve. In addition, it is also important to enable parents the opportunity to get the help and support they need and begin rehabilitation treatment.
In some cases, customers will require a one-off test as part of a job application, court order or for abstinence monitoring as part of an agreed programme with their employer. These various scenarios highlight the importance that drug and alcohol testing can play on a person’s life.
Our Expertise
At Randox Testing Services we provide drug and alcohol testing services to all professionals within the family law sector and private individuals. Our hair drug testing service utilises fully accredited testing methods and is made more cost effective through the patented testing methods we have developed.
We understand the impact a positive result can have on a parent, child, and extended family and ensure results of the highest accuracy. With over 35 years’ experience in the diagnostic industry, we have gained reputation as a trusted provider.
Randox Testing Services
We can supply individuals with a drug and alcohol service without the need to enter into any contracts. This service is available to anyone and can be facilitated by Randox Testing Services from sample collection to laboratory analysis; or with point of care kits to carry out drug and alcohol testing for instant results.
Visit our website today for more information:
Medico-legal Testing: https://www.randoxtestingservices.com/medico-legal-testing/
Private Individuals: https://www.randoxtestingservices.com/private-individuals/
Contact Us: https://www.randoxtestingservices.com/contact-us/
Phone: +44 (0) 161 741 2760
Randox Toxicology Highly Sensitive ELISA kits
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or ELISA, has been utilised as a screening tool for some time. The immunoassay technique is a popular choice for the evaluation of various research and diagnostic targets including drugs of abuse testing.
As primary manufacturer of the Biochip Array Technology, Randox Toxicology also provide highly sensitive ELISA kits that are compatible with all microplate processing instruments. Our test menu covers a broad range of drugs of abuse and metabolites including new psychoactive substances, stimulants, analgesics and sedatives. With low specificity, our ELISA kits are available across whole blood, urine and oral fluid matrices. Randox Toxicology develop the highest quality 96-well microtitre plates available on the market, with results providing excellent correlation with confirmatory methods.
Our range of ELISAs are precoated with our own antibodies which are cultivated in the UK. The ready to use reagent format facilitates optimum laboratory efficiency and allows up to 80 samples to be analysed in 2 to 3 hours with ELISA procedures.
* EXCLUSIVE to Randox Toxicology
For more information on our ELISA solutions email info@randoxtoxicology.com to be put in touch with a sales member in your area or visit www.randoxtoxicology.com.
We Are Randox | ‘Tis the Season of Giving at the Christmas Raffle 2018
This year our much-anticipated Christmas Raffle took place on Monday 24th December 2018, in aid of our official charity partners, AWARE NI and Mind Your Mood.
The main depression charity for Northern Ireland, AWARE has an established network of 24 support groups in rural and urban areas across the country, and also delivers mental health and well-being programmes into communities, schools, colleges, universities and workplaces. Mind Your Mood is an initiative designed and managed by students at Ulster University to help break down the stigma of mental health and encourage students to access support.
Did you know that the prevalence of mental health conditions in Northern Ireland is up to 25% higher than in England, with anxiety and depression being the most common mental disorders? We’re proud therefore to be supporting both AWARE and Mind Your Mood with a range of fundraising initiatives this year, including now the Randox Christmas Raffle 2018, at which, we are delighted to announce, we raised more than £2500 – with the official total still to be counted!
Congratulations to all our prize winners from this year’s Christmas Raffle, and in particular to the lucky winners of our most coveted prizes – a 55″ Ultra HD 4K Sony Bravia TV and an extra day of annual leave!
Randox Food Diagnostics Screening for Coccidiostats
Feed additives are important in modern agriculture and a focus of the European Union (EU) framework. Whilst such products are used to improve the characteristics of feed, any company wanting to use feed additives for the EU market must obtain prior authorisation, during which the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluates the safety and efficacy of each additive. The European legislation on animal feed ensures that feedstuffs are suitable for human and animal consumption, whilst not damaging the environment.
Coccidiosis is a disease caused by coccidian, which multiplies in the intestines. In the acute form death of a bird can occur in five to seven days, whilst the chronic type does not kill immediately but persists for a long period of time. To prevent infection, farmers may administer prophylactic antiprotozoal coccidiostats in feed, which increases the chance that coccidiostat residues are retained in both poultry meat and eggs.
However, coccidiostat levels in poultry have increased significantly over the past 3-4 years, causing concern among various groups including Save Our Antibiotics. To reduce the risk of toxicity to consumers, regulatory authorities have set Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) recommending an appropriate withdrawal period prior to slaughter.
The Randox Food Diagnostics coccidiostats array utilises Biochip Array Technology to quantitatively test for multiple analytes including lasalocid, nicarbazin and imidocarb simultaneously. Revolutionising screening practices, Biochip Array Technology is designed to work across a wide variety of matrices and provides up to 44 results in under 3 hours, saving the user both time and money compared to other screening methods.
For more information on our extensive test menu and coccidiostats array email us directly at: info@randoxfooddiagnostics.com
We Are Randox | Randox mentor recognised at QUB 2018 Placement Awards
A senior manager at global healthcare diagnostics company Randox Laboratories has been recognised by Queen’s University Management School with a prestigious award.
Presented with the accolade at the Management School Placement Awards Event 2018, Financial Controller Mary McAllister was nominated by QUB student Bronagh McCarron who had completed her placement year at Randox in the company’s finance office.
Mary McAllister, Senior Financial Controller at Randox Laboratories, and recipient of the QUB Management School Mentor Recognition Award, commented;
“As an incredibly hard-working, diligent and enthusiastic placement student, Bronagh was a valued member of the Randox Finance Team. I’m delighted therefore, that this Mentor Recognition Award represents that equally, Bronagh really valued her time with us at Randox. With extensive training, support, trust and encouragement, we’re proud to be playing a significant part in the development of the next generation of QUB graduates.”
The Mentor Recognition Award seeks to acknowledge individuals within QUB’s placement employer partners who establish an organised, supportive and beneficial placement environment, which engages, motivates and inspires students during their time in industry.
Bronagh McCarron, Randox Finance Placement and Student at QUB Management School said;
“Throughout my placement year Mary was always incredibly approachable for any problems or queries I had. Asking questions was always encouraged and I never felt like I couldn’t speak up to seek guidance on any of the tasks I had within the Randox Finance department. It’s thanks to Mary and all of my Randox colleagues that I enjoyed my placement year so much and now have more faith in my abilities as I return to university for my final year of studies.”
The Queen’s Management School Placement Programme has been running for more than 25 years, with the aim of empowering students to develop their employability skills. Students are encouraged to identify their career aspirations, reflect on their skills, and find areas of development in order to meet the needs of an ever competitive graduate labour market.
Bronagh added;
“During my time with the Accounts team at Randox, I worked on both the Accounts Receivable for our headquarters office, and on the Accounts Payable for our Randox Teoranta site in Dungloe, Donegal. This variety of work gave me plenty of exposure to the different aspects of Accounts Management. I was involved in communication with both customers and suppliers from a wide range of companies, from which no one query was the same. It has massively increased my confidence working in a business environment.”
Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Founder and Managing Director of Randox Laboratories, commented;
“At Randox we are great advocates of placement during a student’s time in education. It gives Randox the opportunity to work with ambitious and bright young people from across Northern Ireland and in turn we can help to nurture their potential and provide them with industry experience. I’m very proud therefore that Mary’s dedication and commitment to the placement students placed in her care has been formally recognised by Queen’s University Belfast and on behalf of everyone at Randox would like to pass on our congratulations for being awarded this impressive prize.”
For further information about the QUB Management School Placement Awards please contact Randox PR by emailing randoxpr@randox.com
We Are Randox | Christmas Jumper Day in aid of Save the Children
It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Randox today as colleagues donned their favourite festive knit in aid of Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day.
Staff members across Randox UK got involved in the winter fundraiser – from Crumlin to London and Liverpool to Holywood.
If you’d like to donate to Save the Children, please text TEAM RANDOX to 70050 and a £2 donation will go to Save the Children plus your standard message rate.
#WeAreRandox
Randox Testing Services Complete Drug and Alcohol Testing Solutions
At Randox Testing Services we provide reliable and cost-effective employee testing for a wide range of industries including aviation, maritime, manufacturing and many more. We cater to all business needs and offer workplace drug and alcohol testing across a variety of testing types.
We understand the needs of different industries can vary from one extremity to the other so our expertise allows us to craft customised packages to meet the needs of any workplace.
Implementation of an effective substance misuse policy establishes employer rights to conduct workplace drug and alcohol testing if required. In addition, it ensures adherence to the duty of care of an employer to protect their workforce and keep employees safe.
Types of Testing
- Pre-Employment Testing
This is used as an indicator of candidate suitability, it forms an essential part of a company’s recruitment process, and helps maintain the safety of the firm’s current workforce.
- Random Testing
With knowledge that a test could be conducted with anyone at any time, random testing is the most effective deterrent of drug or alcohol misuse among employees. It ensures integrity of staff across all levels and can be conducted with employees at any level from temporary staff to directors.
- With-Cause Testing
This is conducted when there is suspected drug or alcohol abuse in the workplace, whether allegations are made, suspicion arises, if drugs and alcohol have been found in work or following an accident.
- Post-Incident Testing
Post-Incident testing occurs after an accident or incident in work to determine if drugs or alcohol may have contributed to the cause.
- Abstinence Testing
The process of this testing is conducted in circumstances where an employee, having tested positive for a previous drug or alcohol test is monitored to ensure they remain abstinent from drug or alcohol misuse.
Sample Types
Randox Testing Services utilises discreet and non-invasive methods of drug testing for patient comfort and fast sample collection. Offering a choice of a urine test, hair drug test, saliva drug test or a combination. Our drug testing methods ensure the possibility for short-term and long-term drug abuse profiling. With different drug testing methods having different windows of drug detection, we can provide advice on which methods to utilise depending upon your organisation’s drug testing requirements. This ensures the best method or combination of methods is chosen to ensure all needs of the business are met. Click the link to find out more about each sample type and their detection windows. https://bit.ly/2DePPD4
Procedure
To enable reliable results, our drug and alcohol screening procedure is coherent with a strict chain of custody procedures to ensure sample integrity and traceability from point of collection to result reporting.
The process of testing;
- Initial Consultation with Randox Testing Services
We begin with a free consultation with one of our experienced business development executives. During this we will discuss your testing requirements and put together a package tailored to meet the needs of your business.
- Create a Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy
Providing you with the correct tools and information, we ensure you have an effective policy in place to allow you the right, an employer, to carry out employee testing. We also ensure the rights of the employee are protected by ensuring a policy which is clear and concise. During this process, we will discuss the types of workplace testing you wish to carry out ensuring your policy suits the business needs.
- Implement Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing
We provide comprehensive training and education to help you communicate the new policy to your employees and management staff.
- Sample Collection
Once consent from employees is given our network of trained and experienced sample collection officers collect samples using your chosen method of testing at a time and location that suits. We also offer training and education to your own staff to collect samples from employees. Throughout sample collection, sample integrity is maintained following strict chain of custody criteria.
- Sample Analysis
Employee samples are transported to our state-of-the-art laboratory. Upon arrival, they are assessed to ensure sample integrity has been maintained, they are then screened using our innovative Biochip Array Technology to ensure accurate and reliable results. Upon analysis of employee samples, required actions will differ depending on the result:
- Negative
- Presumptive Positive (Indicates presence of a particular substance. Further analysis required).
- Confirmatory Testing (Carried out on presumptive positive samples to confirm drug class and concentration).
- Positive (Received after confirmatory testing, a report detailing drugs present and at what concentration will be written).
- Results Reporting
Results are reported confidentially via our secure web portal. Alternatively, another method can be chosen to suit your needs.
Drugs We Test For
We test for a wide range of drugs of abuse. Our different panels highlight the vast range of substances we are capable of testing for, across both instant testing kits and back to lab panels. Click on the link to see the range of drugs we test via instant or back to lab based on sample type. https://bit.ly/2PMcMVL
Randox Testing Services
Randox Testing Services is a specialist in the drug and alcohol testing industry. We aim to educate and inform companies and customers about the dangers of drugs and alcohol in the workplace.
Contact us today at testingservices@randox.com or call 0 161 741 2760 to speak to one of our experts.
Randox Biosciences and Metabolic Syndrome
The Evidence Evolution is a fully automated immune-analyser with random access. The machine has the capability to process up to 2640 tests per hour with up to 44 analytes screened per biochip. With a wide range test menu Randox can offer the market the service they expect with state-of-the-art intuitive touchscreen software and advanced precision bio-drive robotics.
Metabolic syndrome is described as a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. As result of three health conditions going on, it puts the individual at greater risk of developing coronary heart disease, stroke and many other risks. 1 As well as developing additional health conditions it can cause damage to the blood vessels, the blood pressure damages the blood vessels, the obesity causes a lot of strain on the blood vessels and the heart.2 Therefore, can result in serious long-term risks.
Metabolic disease is very common. Studies state that the serious health condition affects about 23% of adults. 3One in four adults in the UK are currently living with metabolic syndrome and often becomes more common with age2.
Usually it affects those who are overweight or considered obese, have an unbalanced diet containing high levels of sugar and fat and have high cholesterol and extremely high blood pressure2 therefore, the condition can be prevented by reducing the risks.
1 According to the NHS, metabolic syndrome occurs when a person has three or more of the following measurements:
- Abdominal obesity (Waist circumference of greater than 40 inches in men, and greater than 35 inches in women)
- Triglyceride level of 150 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or greater
- HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dL in men or less than 50 mg/dL in women
- Systolic blood pressure (top number) of 130 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or greater, or diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) of 85 mm Hg or greater
- Fasting glucose of 100 mg/dL or greater
There are many ways to prevent metabolic syndrome from developing, making lifestyle changes for example, ensuring their weight is healthy by increasing physical exercise, eating a well-balanced healthy diet containing whole grains, fruit, vegetables and fish and finally, visiting the GP to monitor and manage blood glucose, blood cholesterol and blood pressure, quit smoking and managing your stress.
Randox offers the Evidence Evolution including two Metabolic Syndrome Arrays which allows multiplex testing from a single sample allowing rapid turnaround time and are suitable for both serum and plasma samples.
Metabolic Syndrome Array I
- Ferritin
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
- Insulin
- Leptin
- Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)
- Resistin
- Tumour Necrosis Factor α (TNFα)
Metabolic Syndrome Array II
- Adiponectin
- C-reactive Protein (CRP)
- Cystatin C
For more information on our Evidence Series or Metabolic Syndrome Range of Assays, contact us at EvidenceSeries@randox.com
