The Bucks County Coroner’s Office is purchasing a new analyzer that is expected to get toxicology tests completed faster and cheaper.
The Bucks County Commissioners – two Democrats and a Republican – on Wednesday approved the coroner’s office request to purchase a $79,800 Randox rapid toxicology analyzer device, which is peer reviewed and court proven.
The coroner’s office plans to pay for the system using the county’s $45 million allotment of the national opioid lawsuit settlement, according to public records.
First Deputy Coroner Scott Croop said the system will allow the office to more quickly to get toxicology tests back and allow families to learn more about their loved one’s death without having to wait many weeks.
“This is a real game changer,” said Coroner Patti Campi, a Democrat who took office in January.
The office presently spends about $200,000 per year on toxicology tests and has to wait at least six weeks, Croop said.
The Randox system is expected to cost $39 per toxicology test and take just 31 minutes to return results, the first deputy coroner said.
With more than 300 overdose deaths last year, the coroner’s office would like to get results quicker and provide that information to law enforcement agencies and families, Campi said.
The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office has been assisting the coroner’s office as they looked into the Randox system.
Croop said the Randox system can test for “just about every” common drug the office sees and new ones are being added.
The Lehigh Valley Coroner’s Office already has a Randox system and Bucks County will be the fourth in the country to have the analyzer, Croop said.
Campi stated that the Randox rapid toxicology analyzer should arrive at the coroner’s office within weeks.
Commissioners Chairperson Diane Ellis-Marseglia commended the office on going for the tool that will help get answers for families faster.
Commissioner Bob Harvie said the device will also help law enforcement, especially in discovering there are bad batches of drugs going around the county.
The coroner investigates and certifies all sudden, unnatural and violent deaths. The office is tasked with working with law enforcement, funeral homes, medical facilities, and families.
