Thank you, Melanie.  This is quite helpful.  Our staff members are already trained under federal protocol for urine and BAT and, you are correct, it is the unregulated testing I am wondering about.

Much appreciation!

Karen

From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Swift, Melanie D., M.D. via MCOH-EH
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2018 10:55 AM
To: MCOH/EH
Cc: Swift, Melanie D., M.D.
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] [EXTERNAL] Re: blood, oral secretion and hair collection for screening

 

 

 
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Karen – I assume from the question this is for unregulated testing?

 

For saliva testing, here would be no reason you could not use standard STT procedures as outlined in the CFR. Having BATs/STTs trained under federal protocol is good practice for unregulated testing programs because the protocols ensure integrity of the results (and give you a leg to stand on if an adverse employment action were challenged).

 

The advisability of blood collection will depend upon your employer policies and state regulations, and it cannot be used for routine DOT screens of course. I disagree with Dr. Rodway on the “assault” characterization – if legal in your state and supported by thoughtful policy, one could certainly use blood alcohol in non-regulated testing – for example reasonable suspicion with shy lung, or if you don’t have ability to do BATs. And actually there are states (Minnesota being one) that prohibit employers collecting breath alcohol on the premises, but will allow blood testing in a lab. Assuming you have collectors already trained in phlebotomy, you could overlay the chain of custody procedures as you would use for a urine collection. Work with your lab to see if they support chain of custody and request they provide a CCF.

 

The lab you are using for the hair testing likely has their own collection protocol. There is training available for that if you decide to collect your own – the lab may be able to point you to training.

 

Melanie

 

Melanie Swift, MD
Senior Associate Consultant

Division of Preventive, Occupational, and Aerospace Medicine

Phone 507.284.2560

_______________________________
Mayo Clinic
200 First Street SW
Rochester, MN 55905
www.mayoclinic.org

 

From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Natalie Hartenbaum
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2018 9:43 AM
To: MCOH/EH
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [MCOH-EH] blood, oral secretion and hair collection for screening

 

Actually only Matrix permitted in Maryland - also required by FRA as post accident

 

Natalie P.  Hartenbaum, MD, MPH, FACOEM
President and Chief Medical Officer
OccuMedix
PO Box 197
Dresher, PA 19025
215-646-2205
occumedix@comcast.net

 

On Apr 5, 2018, at 10:41 AM, Nancy Rodway <nrodway@hotmail.com> wrote:

 

BLOOD alcohol????  That is regarded as assault

From: MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net> on behalf of Morelli, Karen J <kmorelli@emhs.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2018 9:15 AM
To: 'mcoh-eh@mylist.net'
Subject: [MCOH-EH] blood, oral secretion and hair collection for screening

 

Good Morning,

I am trying to write protocols for blood alcohol/marijuana collection, oral secretion and hair collection for drug screening.  Does anyone have protocols already created that I could use as a guide?

Thank you in advance!

Karen

 

Karen Morelli RN, BSN, Clinical Manager

WorkHealth LLC

973-7382

 

<image001.jpg>

BANGOR | PITTSFIELD | PORTLAND | PRESQUE ISLE

 

 

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