[MCOH-EH] Prescription Medications and Safety Risk

[Mike]

I would suggest addressing this question to the MRO working group at ACOEM as well. That disclaimer should be pretty uncommon since the MRO has a lot of ability to do investigation. Divulging safety concern has a process as well and there might be a few steps missing if it's just showing up as a footnote. 

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android 
 
  On Fri, Oct 7, 2022 at 8:35 AM, Hayden, Jamie R<JHayden at uwhealth.org> wrote:    <!--#yiv4120887681 _filtered {} _filtered {} _filtered {} _filtered {} _filtered {} _filtered {}#yiv4120887681 #yiv4120887681 p.yiv4120887681MsoNormal, #yiv4120887681 li.yiv4120887681MsoNormal, #yiv4120887681 div.yiv4120887681MsoNormal {margin:0in;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;}#yiv4120887681 span.yiv4120887681EmailStyle17 {font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;color:windowtext;}#yiv4120887681 .yiv4120887681MsoChpDefault {font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;} _filtered {}#yiv4120887681 div.yiv4120887681WordSection1 {}-->
Hello,
 
  
 
When new hires complete our health assessment form, they include what medications they are taking which could include opiates and/or other drugs that could affect their ability to perform their job duties. At the time of the visit, the RN counsels the new hire on the side effects of those medications and explain the fitness for duty policy, which requires employees to present to work unimpaired and fit to perform their job.
 
  
 
Their urine drug screen tests positive and goes to the medical review officer (MRO) who verifies the new hire’s prescriptions. If the new hire is on multiple medications that could impair them, the urine drug screen result will also include a statement, “A safety risk may exist- recommend further evaluation”. 
 
  
 
We were curious to know what other organizations do in these situations? Do you require these individuals to provide a note from the prescribing provider or PCP stating they are safe to perform their job duties with their prescribed medications? What happens if this comment is not included on the result from the MRO, but the employee disclosed that they take medications that could cause impairment like opioids or benzodiazepines? Do you require anything additional from these individuals to clear them to start work?
 
  
 
Thanks,
 
Jamie
 
  
 
Jamie Hayden RN, BSN 
 
she/her/hers – What are personal pronouns?
 
Lead RN, Employee Health Services 
 
UWHealth,UW Hospital and Clinics
700 University Bay Drive Suite 101
Madison, WI 53705
 
Phone: 608-263-7535
jhayden at uwhealth.org
 
  
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