[MCOH-EH] Alcohol confirmation testing?

[Natalie Hartenbaum]

For federal testing no issue - this is only for non-federal testing in Maryland
Natalie P.  Hartenbaum, MD, MPH, FACOEM
President and Chief Medical Officer
OccuMedix
PO Box 197
Dresher, PA 19025
215-646-2205
occumedix at comcast.net



> On May 4, 2016, at 10:27 AM, Swift, Melanie <melanie.swift at Vanderbilt.Edu> wrote:
> 
> Ouch! Under 49 CFR part 40:
> § 40.277 Are alcohol tests other than saliva or breath permitted under these regulations?
> No, other types of alcohol tests (e,g., blood and urine) are not authorized for testing done under this part. Only saliva or breath for screening tests and breath for confirmation tests using approved devices are permitted.
>  
> Probably time to consult your counsel!
>  
> Melanie Swift, MD
> Director, Vanderbilt Occupational Health Clinic
> http://occupationalhealth.vanderbilt.edu <http://occupationalhealth.vanderbilt.edu/>
>  
> From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces at mylist.net <mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces at mylist.net>] On Behalf Of Craig Thorne
> Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2016 9:11 AM
> To: mcoh-eh at mylist.net <mailto:mcoh-eh at mylist.net>
> Subject: [MCOH-EH] Alcohol confirmation testing?
>  
> Everyone, for DOT random alcohol testing we use an onsite saliva test and safely transport anyone with a positive test to a nearby occupational health clinic (such as Concentra) for confirmation testing using a breath analyzer.
>  
> However, now in Maryland we cannot use a breath analyzer for testing, due to the following regulation:
>  
> Md Code, Health Gen. 17-214: It contains the process employers must follow when conducting job related testing, and provides that the only specimens that can be used in this instance are blood, urine, hair and saliva.
>  
> Do you have any recommendations apart from us trying to find a nearby clinic that can do a stat alcohol blood test? My concern is that alcohol would metabolize is any blood specimen that is not processed ASAP.
>  
> Thank you.
>  
> Craig Thorne, MD
>  
> 
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