Anonymous cocaine screening in a private obstetric population.

Abstract

To establish the prevalence of cocaine use in private obstetric patients during their prenatal care and at admission to delivery units. Urine samples were collected anonymously during routine sampling from 1425 patients in six private hospitals and four private physicians' offices. Positive cocaine metabolites were identified in three of 555 urine specimens (0.54%) obtained from hospitals and in two of 870 (0.23%) obtained from private offices during prenatal examinations. The total positive urine cocaine results were five of 1425 (0.35%). Universal screening in a private obstetric population similar to that found in Denver would not be cost-effective. We urge health care providers to ask patients about substance abuse and to screen patients who are at high risk for substance use.