An effective drug screen program generally improves workplace morale and increases overall efficiency, which reduces employee absenteeism and turnover. Combined with fewer workers compensation incidents, employers can experience a reduction in overall administrative costs.

 

"Should I put an employee on the job right now?"

• 70% of drug abusers are employed in the general workforce
• Drug abusers cost employers billions of dollars every year

For traditional laboratory testing services... DOT or non-DOT

• Collection services for any laboratory or MRO you designate
• DOT trained collectors
• Evidential Breath Alcohol Test (EBAT) services
• Medical Review Officer (MRO) evaluations are available and highly recommended. All reviews done by Cascade Occupational Medicine
• Professional collection and chain of custody procedures
• Adulteration/dilution testing performed on all drug screen results

Rapid Results Drug Screen

 

In addition, Cascade Occupational Medicine offers a Rapid Result drug screen program using an accurate, reliable FDA-approved device. Negative results are obtained in less than eight minutes and reported to the employer right away. This technology is especially effective when immediate results are needed for pre-employment, random, or post-accident situations. Rapid results can increase the effectiveness of any drug screen program while minimizing costs.

 

What to expect during your urine collection procedure

 

What do I need to do to prepare for collection?

• Please expect to be at the clinic for 15-30 minutes.
• Please bring a Photo ID to verify your identity. If you do not have Photo ID, someone in a supervisory position will be asked to verify your identity.
• Do not drink more that 12 ounces of liquid for several hours prior to specimen collection. This will guard against submitting an unacceptable “dilute” specimen.

What may I expect during the collection process?

• At the end of the collection process you will be asked to read and sign the DONOR CONSENT Statement on the Chain-of-Custody form that will (a) verify your consent to be tested for substances of abuse, (b) certify your specimen collection and (c) authorize release of test results to your employer or requesting party.
• You may be asked to list any medications (prescription or over-the-counter) taken in the last 30 days. This information is confidential within the laboratory and is visible only on Laboratory Copies 1 & 2 of the Chain of Custody form.
• The person (collector) overseeing the collection procedure will ask that you remove any outer clothing (coats, vests, etc) and that items such as purses, briefcases or handbags remain outside the bathroom.
• You will be asked to wash your hands with water only prior to collection.
• A sealed urine specimen collection kit will be opened in your presence and you will be asked to fill the urine container at least half-full in the privacy of a bathroom.
• You will be instructed not to run water while in the bathroom, and to pass the specimen to the collector within four (4) minutes. You will be asked not to flush until you give your specimen to the collector.
• The collector will receive your specimen as you exit the bathroom. The temperature of your specimen will be recorded on the custody form. If the temperature is not acceptable, you will be asked to remain in the waiting area and recollect.
• You will witness the sealing of your specimen with a security seal and then be asked to initial the security seal. Then you may witness the placement of the sealed specimen in the bag, which will be transported to the laboratory.

NOTE: If you are unable to produce a specimen, you will be asked to drink 8-12 ounces of water and remain in the waiting area until you are able to recollect. With normally functioning kidneys, up to about an hour is an adequate wait.

 

The personnel overseeing the collection procedure will answer questions to the best of their ability. However, questions regarding availability of results, cutoff levels and the testing procedure should be addressed to your employer or the testing laboratory.

Failure to follow any of these procedures may result in you having to provide a second (2nd) urine sample.

 

 

REQUIRED FORMS:

 

Patient Registration Form

Consent for Contracted Services

 

 

TYPICAL DETECTION PERIODS FOR DRUGS OF ABUSE – URINE FROM TIME OF USE

 

DRUGS DETECTED	TYPICAL DETECTION TIME*
Amphetamines Amphetamine Methamphetamine	1-2 days
Barbiturates Amobarbital Butabarbital Butalbital Pentobarbital Phenobarbital Secobarbital	3-16 days
Benzodiazepines Alprazolam Chlordiazepoxide Diazepam Flurazepam (metabolites) Nordiazepam Oxazepan Temazapam Triazolam	2-10 days
Cocaine Benzoyl Ecgonine Cocaine	1-3 days
Ethanol (alcohol)	½-1 day
LSD (Lysergic Acid)	Up to several days (half life 3 hours)
Marijuana Cannabinoids (Metabolite)	2-10 days (High usage 30 days or more)
Methodone Methodone metabolite	3-5 days
Methaqualone	Varies with dose
Nicotine	Up to 10 days
Opiates Codeine Hydrocodone Hydromorphone Meperidine Morphine Oxycodone	2-5 days
Phyncyclidine (PCP)	Varies with dose
Propoxyphene Norproxyphene (metabolite)	5-7 days
Miscellaneous Antidepressants Antihistamines Antiepileptics Sedatives/Hypnotics	Varies with dose

*Detection times are estimates of typical single drug doses. Increased or frequent dosing will extend detection time amounts in the urine.

Why Should An Employer Use A Medical Review Officer?

As you plan your workplace drug and alcohol testing program, or perhaps are seeking to modify and strengthen your current testing program, it is important to consider the role of the Medical Review Officer (MRO) in your program.

 

The following are the essential elements of our program. After reading through these highlights, you might ask yourself how an MRO program might impact your current drug and or alcohol testing policy.

 

Determination of Final Results
It is important to realize that a positive laboratory result is NOT an assured indication of illegal use of drugs. It is critical to review the result and talk with the donor regarding personal health, medications, and drug use. The final determination is based on medical and legal knowledge about work place drug and alcohol testing. The final positive result reported from the MRO is legally defensible.

 

Medical Confidentiality
As mentioned above, the discussion the MRO has with the donor involves personal medical history. The separation of a worker’s medical information from the workplace documents is becoming increasingly important. By having the MRO conduct this interview, the company maintains a respectful, non-involved position with regard to a potential employee or present employee’s confidential medical information. The information the company receives is specific to illegal drug use.

 

Fast Turn-Around Time, Records Maintenance
Initial negative and rejected specimens are reported immediately. The evaluation of positives involves contacting the donor thus the company is informed of the result as soon as the MRO determination is made. All records are maintained for five (5) years.

 

The above captioned elements of the program are undoubtedly the most important and widely recognized responsibilities of the MRO. However, the in depth, comprehensive use of the MRO includes the following additional responsibilities:

 

Monitoring Collections Standards
The determination of all results, including negative results, involves a review of the chain-of-custody for proper paperwork. If problems are uncovered, the MRO confers with the laboratory and collection site regarding the procedures and their relationship to the integrity of the sample. Some collections require cancellation due to improper collection procedures. This review assures the company of a consistent, fair collection process.

 

Managing the Dilute/Cancelled/Rejected/Adulterated Specimens
A frustrating part of a company drug and alcohol testing program are the few specimen collections that don’t fit into the norm. The MRO helps the company representative sort out what occurred and what the steps to take next. Based on both company policy and current standards with regard to testing, an acceptable decision can be made on how to handle the situation.

 

Conducting Return-To-Work Evaluations
Many company policies provide a last-chance agreement for employees who have a positive drug test. Generally, a negative return-to-work drug/alcohol test must be obtained before reinstatement and the need for education or treatment is assessed. A return-to-work examination is sometimes required. Random drug testing for a specified period of time is also usually required. The MRO can assist in these evaluations and help you with your return-to-work program following drug and alcohol assessment or treatment.

 

Providing Up-To-Date Information on Drug Testing
The MRO, through constant professional training, keeps informed of all pertinent issues, both State and Federal, regarding workplace drug and alcohol testing. Even if a company does not fall under Federal regulations, these Federal guidelines set the standard for proper drug and alcohol testing procedures. It is important to be aware of both State and Federal regulations which may impact your workplace drug and alcohol program.

 

Assisting with Alcohol Testing
The aforementioned physicians that administer our MRO program have the latest information on alcohol testing. Referrals for testing and Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) assessments are available.