Drug Testing Questions
Drug Testing Questions
Yes, current drug testing procedures accurately detect adulterated samples. It is therefore increasingly difficult for those being tested for drugs to cheat on the tests. Preliminary Profiles uses a certified laboratory and Medical Review Officer to analyze the specimens. The laboratory measures the specific gravity, pH, creatinine levels, and temperature of the specimens, to determine valid and reliable positive and negative results as well as deviations in collected specimens.
What drugs do you screen for?Preliminary Profiles can create a drug testing program designed to meet the testing needs of you company. Companies have the freedom to determine which drugs are included in the test. A typical five panel drug screen, tests for the following substances: marijuana, opiates, phencyclidine, amphetamines, and cocaine. A ten panel drug screen, tests for the above drugs as well as; barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, methaqualone and propoxyphene. Other drugs we can screen for include, MDMA (ecstasy), keatmine, GHB, mereridine, tramadol, and oxtcodone.
What is the difference between a DOT drug test and a non-DOT drug test?
DOT drug screens are federally mandated and required for safety sensitive transportation employees. A
DOT drug screen tests for five drugs; marijuana, opiates,
phencyclidine, amphetamines, and cocaine. A non-DOT drug screen is
not regulated by the federal government. A non-DOT drug
screen can test for the above five drugs as well as barbiturates,
benzodiazepines, methadone, methaqualone and propoxyphene.
What is a Medical Review Officer?
A
Medical Review Officer (MRO) is a licensed physician, who is
responsible for reviewing and evaluating medical explanations for
certain drug test results. A MRO acts as an independent and impartial
advocate for the accuracy and integrity of the drug testing process. A
MRO determines if there is a legitimate medical explanation for a
laboratory confirmed positive or invalid drug test.
Do all positive drug test results require the donor to have a consultation with a doctor (MRO)? Yes, the MRO contacts the donor to determine if there is a legitimate medical explanation for the result. The medical review of drug test results protects both the employee and employer. The integrity of a testing program depends on fairness and accuracy and the MRO plays a central role in this process.
Every donors who tests positive has the opportunity to speak with the MRO before a report is made to the company. The MRO determines if the result is scientifically accurate and confirms the positive result, or determines that there is a legitimate medical explanation with proper documentation and reports the results as negative. If no contact is able to be made between the donor and the doctor, the test is confirmed positive with a note indicating no contact with the donor.
What are the different reasons for drug tests?The following reasons for testing are generally included in a comprehensive workplace drug testing program:
Pre-employment testing is when a job applicant is required to have a negative drug test as a condition of employment.
Random drug tests are used by employers as a preventive tool to try and discourage drug use in the workplace. Random drug testing is a scientific process that selects current employees for drug testing on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis.
Reasonable suspicion is when an employee is required to undergo a drug test because there is sufficient evidence to indicate that the employee may have used an illicit substance. Typically, the evidence is based on the direct observations made by supervisors or co-workers that an employee has used or possesses illicit substances, exhibits physical symptoms of being under the influence, and has patterns of abnormal or erratic behavior.
A Post-accident test is when an employee is required to provide a specimen after being involved in an accident or incident on the job. The results of such a test may provide evidence as to the cause of the accident or incident.
Follow-up testing occurs when an employee is re-entering the workforce after having completed treatment for drug and/or alcohol abuse or has been on extended leave.
Return to work testing is when an employee is tested after receiving treatment for substance abuse issues and is returning to work or has been on extended leave.
How long will it take to receive my results?
Drug
tests generally take 24 to 36 hours to complete. If, however, a test
has to undergo further testing or review by the Medical Review Officer
it may take longer. Our office will be more than happy to assist you
in determining the status of any outstanding tests.
How long do drugs stay in an individual's system?
Drugs
do not typically remain in the body for very long. Often no more than
24 - 72 hours, depending on the frequency of use and the individual's
body functions. Marijuana is the exception, staying sometimes from
several days to several weeks, again depending on the circumstances.
However, through hair analysis, drugs are detectable up to 90 days
after drug use.
What is a Chain of Custody and why is it important?
Chain
of Custody is the detailed documentation of the drug screening process,
which accounts for the integrity of each step of the procedure, by
tracking the handling and storage of the specimen from collection to
disposal. This medical document, with assigned barcode numbers,
facilitates the process and documents by whom, when and for what
purpose the specimen was handled. Clinical labs will not proceed with a
drug screen if they recognize the chain of custody has been broken.
With a fully executed Chain of Custody, the drug screen result is
completely and legally defensible.
Will commonly used items such as vitamins, aspirin, caffeine and acetaminophen affect the results?
No,
drug test results are not affected by these substances. Commonly taken
medications and vitamins are chemically and structurally different
after being metabolized by the body from the drugs being tested for
and do not interfere with the test results in most cases.
Can someone test positive because of second hand marijuana smoke or because they ate a poppy seed muffin?
No, laboratory drug testing uses fixed cut-off levels, designed to rule out the possibility of second hand smoke or poppy seed ingestion causing a "false positive".