Why screen for substance abuse violations in the workplace?
A comprehensive drug screening program can help improve productivity and workplace safety.
In a recent survey conducted by the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, 27.1 million people aged 12 or older indicated they had used a controlled substance in the past 30 days. With over 10% of Americans admitting to using illegal drugs, there is a high likelihood of substance abuse in most organizations. Establishing and adhering to a strict Substance Abuse Policy can significantly help employers mitigate risks associated with workplace substance and alcohol abuse, including:
INCREASED
• Employee morale
• Employee health
• Productivity
• Efficiency
DECREASED
• Use of medical benefits
• Absenteeism
• Downtime
• Turnover
• Theft
Which drug testing method works best for your organization?
Which drug testing method works best for your organization?
Drug & Health Screening Services
Drug Testing
Processing options include traditional lab-based testing, onsite specimen collections, instant clinic-based testing and instant onsite testing. Testing methodologies include hair, urine, saliva, and blood. Over 10,000 clinic locations nationwide for specimen collection and provides extensive expertise in regulated and non-regulated environments. Additionally, all lab and clinic-based drug screening results are integrated with AccuSource’s easy to read background-screening reports.
Alcohol Screening
AccuSource maintains a network of over 3000 facilities with Breath Alcohol Technicians certified to perform Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) for random screening (as required by the DOT), reasonable suspicion screening, and post-accident screening. Additionally, employers may also elect to have a technician perform testing at their worksite utilizing AccuSource’s mobile testing options.
Electronic Chain of Custody
AccuSource’s Electronic Chain of Custody (eCOC) eliminates the need for paper drug screening specimen collection chain of custody documents. Applicants are provided with a link to the eCOC platform where they simply select a nearby drug screening collection facility and print a passport for collection.
Oral Saliva Test
The donor provides a specimen of their saliva (normally in full view of the collector) and the specimen is then shipped to one of AccuSource’s laboratory partners for processing. Results are available, on average, in 24 to 48 hours. Lab-confirmed positive results can then be forwarded to AccuSource’s Medical Review Officer (MRO) for review. All shipping and specimen collection materials are provided.
Occupational Medical
Whether your company needs flu vaccinations and fitness for duty exams or immunizations to meet compliance requirements for medical staff, AccuSource has you covered. We partner with over 5,000 clinics nationwide to provide a single source for all occupational health needs. Additionally, our medical compliance software assists employers in monitoring when staff members are required to undergo additional testing or services.
24/7 Reasonable Suspicion & Post-Accident Testing
Challenges occur in the workplace when they are least expected. AccuSource can assist employers with after-hours drug and alcohol screening services. When travel to a clinic is not an option, mobile onsite collection services are also available in most geographic locations. After-hours staff is trained in both DOT and non-DOT collection processes.
Medical Review Officer (MRO)
Per Department of Transportation (DOT) CFR 49 Part 40 guidelines, all drug and alcohol screening results must be reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (MRO.) The MRO reviews the completed result report and contacts the donor, if needed, to evaluate a positive finding for tested substances of abuse and determine if there is a legitimate medical explanation for the test results. Once the result has a verified disposition, it will be reported to the employer.
Point of Collection Testing (POCT)
For employers seeking the convenience and increased cost control of testing applicants onsite with results available in minutes, AccuSource offers a full line of instant oral swab and urine cups. All products are high-quality, proven accurate, tamper-resistant and made in the United States. Full administrator training is provided free of charge for all instant onsite products.
More Background Screening Services
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of laboratory tests are used for drug testing?
Urine drug testing
Urine is the most common sample type used for drug testing by employers. A urinalysis will show the presence of a drug in the system after the drug effects have worn off; however, the length of time varies by drug. Typical urine drug tests for employment purposes may screen for amphetamines or methamphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates like oxycodone or heroin, nicotine, and alcohol, as reported by The Balance.
Saliva drug testing
A saliva test (also called a mouth swab test) may be used if an employer is interested in knowing about recent drug use. Saliva drug tests can detect most usage within a few hours and up to 3 days but are not ideal to detect the long-term use of drugs. Saliva is an easy lab test to gather samples for, is less susceptible to adulteration, and can be tested for alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamines.
Blood drug testing
A blood drug test may be used to determine amounts of a drug in an employees system at that very moment. A variety of drugs can be tested for in blood: amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines, opiates, nicotine, and alcohol. Blood testing is invasive but there is little chance for adulteration. Blood testing may be performed in the emergency room for toxicology testing, as well.
Hair drug testing
Hair testing may be used to determine drug use over the longer term, usually over a 90-day period of time. Hair can be tested for cocaine, marijuana, opiates, methamphetamine, phencyclidine, and alcohol.
Which drugs are tested for in a workplace drug test?
The drugs that are tested for during an employment drug screening vary depending on the organization and its specific requirements. Some employers use drug testing voluntarily to ensure a safe and productive work environment, while others are federally regulated by the DOT and require stricter testing procedures. In general, there are three main testing panels that are commonly run by employers: 4-Panel Test – detects cocaine, PCP, opiates, and amphetamines 5-Panel Test – detects marijuana, cocaine, PCP, opiates, and amphetamines 10-panel Test – detects barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, methaqualone, propoxyphene, marijuana, cocaine, PCP, opiates, and amphetamines
Can Employers Still Drug Test in States Where Marijuana Is Legal?
How long does it take to get drug test results?
Results from workplace drug testing are fairly quick and can usually be received in a few days. An employer may also request to have the test done with a rapid test that can provide results on the same day. Negative results are usually received within 24 hours; however, a positive screen will require further testing that may take a few days up to one week.
If the initial screen is negative, a medical review officer (MRO) will typically contact the employer with the results. If a positive result occurs, an MRO will contact the applicant for further questioning. It is important to notify the laboratory or MRO of any medications currently in use, including prescription, over-the-counter or herbal medications. The applicant may have to provide proof of a valid prescription and prescriber information for prescription medications.
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