I agree. We used to do this and stopped for the reasons cited.
April Tainter RN
Employee Health Nurse
ThedaCare Medical Centers-Shawano/New London/Waupaca
Office 715-701-0168
Fax 715-524-9983
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From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces+april.tainter=thedacare.org@mylist.net]
On Behalf Of Jenkins, Maribeth
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2016 7:57 AM
To: 'mcoh-eh@mylist.net'
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] Use of prescription drugs - instant drug screens
Way too much liability for me to take –let us focus on patient safety please is what I told my HR dept when they asked for this…. we have an independent MRO to assure the person is safe to work. The MRO may
also request a fitness for duty exam if the person is abusing their prescriptions drugs. Just because they have the bottle does not mean they are taking it appropriately- That is not a decision for us to make safely in my opinion, but rather the MRO and/
or clearing MD.
Maribeth Jenkins, MSN, RN, LMT, CWC
Employee Wellness Manager
Hendrick Medical Center
1900 Pine Street
Abilene, TX 79601
Phone: (325) 670-3010
Fax: (325) 670-3051
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net]
On Behalf Of Kevin Matson
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2016 1:41 PM
To: 'mcoh-eh@mylist.net'
Subject: [MCOH-EH] Use of prescription drugs - instant drug screens
I have been asked to consider a new process for new hire drug screens. Currently when a candidate has a positive instant drug screen, we then send the specimen for confirmation testing and ultimately to the MRO. Meanwhile, the new employee
is on medical hold and may not start work.
For the proposed change, I am being asked to have the candidate present their prescription bottles, and then have an occupational health nurse determine if the employee has a valid prescription. If the employee presents a valid prescription,
we would then let the candidate start pending the final review from MRO. If the candidate could not present a valid prescription, they would be on a medical hold until final MRO result was obtained.
I have a strong opinion about this, but I don’t want to bias the group with my opinion. Is anyone doing this and can you share your experience? Or, has anyone tried this and discontinued the practice?
Thanks,
Kevin Matson, Director
Occupational Medicine Service Line
Northeast Georgia Health System, Inc.
770-219-3957
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