Drug Screens
What type of drug screen should our company require?
The drug screen we recommend typically depends on the reason the drug screen is being conducted. For pre-employment drug screens, we recommend a 10-panel rapid. The 10-panel tests for the largest variety of drugs, including prescription drugs, which have become such a problem. If the test results in a non-negative, it will be sent to the lab for an MRO review. If the drug screen is being done in response to a situation (i.e. accident, injury, random, for cause), we recommend performing a 10-panel lab-certified test. The reason for this is because the lab-certified tests require a chain of custody and a more regulated testing structure. If the test results may lead to the termination of an employee, a lab-certified test will be a more reliable piece of evidence if it becomes a legal matter. We strongly recommend consulting your legal counsel when defining your company drug screen policy. Also, if your company is part of the Drug Free Workplace program, you must use a lab-certified test. Please see our Drug Screen Info Sheet for more detailed information on individual drug screens.
How does our company quality for the Drug Free Workplace of Alabama program?
Please visit www.livedrugfree.org for information on how to become a drug free workplace.
What is an MRO?
An MRO is a Medical Review Officer. All of our physicians are MRO’s.
What lab do you use?
We use Quest Labs for all of our testing needs.
Are your clinics set up for eScreen?
Yes. We regularly provide drug screen collections for companies using an eScreen service.
What is the difference in a rapid drug screen and a send-off?
A rapid drug screen will give you the ability to get most of the results back the same day. The test generally takes less than 5 minutes when performed, not including any problems that may occur. If the result is negative, we can contact you at the end of the day, or early morning of the next day, depending on when the employee comes in. The employee will also be given paperwork that he/she can bring to you directly. If the test comes back as non-negative, at that point we send the sample off for further testing to a SAMSHA Certified Lab. The result is then sent back to our physicians to review.
A “Send Off” is sent to the lab directly for processing. The results take 48-72 hours to receive. The results have to be processed, reviewed, and by law our physicians must make good faith efforts to contact the employee in case of a non-negative result. A lab certified test is required for participants of the Drug Free Workplace Program. Please see our Drug Screen Info Sheet for more details.
A “Send Off” is sent to the lab directly for processing. The results take 48-72 hours to receive. The results have to be processed, reviewed, and by law our physicians must make good faith efforts to contact the employee in case of a non-negative result. A lab certified test is required for participants of the Drug Free Workplace Program. Please see our Drug Screen Info Sheet for more details.
Which is more accurate? A hair test drug screen or a urine drug screen?
It depends on why you are testing the employee. A urine test is more applicable if you are trying to get a snapshot of what the employee might have taken at that time. A hair test is more useful if you are trying to get a better view of the employee’s long term habits. Please see our Drug Screen Info Sheet for more details.
What are the problems with doing our random drug screens in-house?
One of the biggest problems with doing random drug screens in-house is that the employees may feel the selection process is not as “random” as it is intended to be. Allowing a third party, such as OHG, to conduct the random selection and administer the test, ensures the company continues to be viewed as fair and unbiased. If you choose to use OHG for your random drug screen program, we will conduct the random selection process for no additional charge.
Should we require a drug screen after an accident?
Performing a drug screen after an accident, where no injuries occur, is strictly up to each company. Some company policies require a drug screen after any type of incident, whether it is a car crash or running a fork lift into a wall. If your company does not have a current policy in place, we recommend consulting with legal counsel to develop a protocol for drug screening after an accident.
Should we require a drug screen after an injury?
Performing a drug screen after an injury is strictly up to each company. Some company policies require a drug screen after any type of incident, whether it is a car crash or running a fork lift into a wall. If your company does not have a current policy in place, we recommend consulting with legal counsel to develop a protocol for drug screening after an accident.
DOT
Do all of your providers meet the newest requirements regarding DOT physicals and drug screening?
All of our Providers, doctors and nurse practitioners, are Certified DOT Medical Examiners.
Clinics
What is the difference in a lift test and a strength assessment test?
A Lift Test is a very basic test that determines if a patient is able to lift a certain amount of weight. A Strength Assessment Test is most often conducted for jobs with significant physical demands. We ask that a detailed job description be submitted for each position. A physical therapist will then develop an appropriate physical test to assess the patient’s ability to perform the required tasks.
How are your clinics different from other clinics in the area?
OHG clinics are unique because we only treat Occupational Health needs. This means that when you send your healthy employees in for a routine appointment, they will not be sitting with sick patients. This also means shorter wait times. Our Huntsville location now has a designated Testing Services Facility to ensure employees can be tested and back on the job in a timely manner. Also, all of our physicians are Board Certified and only practice Occupational Medicine. This certification ensures they are experts in the areas of ergonomics, OSHA standards, drug screening, discerning whether an injury is work related and even what type of duties an injured employee can perform while they are recovering.
Are your clinics set up for eScreen?
Yes. We regularly provide drug screen collections for companies using an eScreen service.
Does OHG offer after-hours services?
Yes. While we do not provide after-hours services at our clinics, patients may be seen for work-comp injuries and drug screens at the Huntsville Hospital and Decatur-Morgan Emergency Departments. Employees should either be accompanied by a supervisor or provide a Treatment Authorization Form to ER staff, identifying themselves as an OHG patient. OHG works closely with our ER departments on a daily basis to follow up on any after-hours needs.
What types of injuries can your clinic treat?
Our clinics are extremely advanced and can treat most work related injuries. We do have onsite x-rays and can perform services to repair lacerations and minor traumas. If needed, the physician may refer the patient to an appropriate specialist.
Can our company use any of your clinics?
Yes. You may use whichever clinic is the most convenient to you and your employees. Our database is linked throughout our system, so the information in one clinic is available at all clinics.
Do I need to make an appointment for my employee?
We do not make appointments for drug screens or simple vaccinations (TB, Flu Shots, etc.). We do require an appointment for any type of physical or strength assessment test. Workers’ Comp cases are on a walk-in basis as well. If you have never used our clinic before, you will need to contact the clinic you will be sending your employee to in order to set up your company information in our database. View our clinic locations here.
While it is not required, we do ask that if you know you need to send an employee for drug screening, that you send them in at least 2-3 hours before closing, when possible. For Federally mandated screens, we are required to give the employee 3 hours to perform the test.
While it is not required, we do ask that if you know you need to send an employee for drug screening, that you send them in at least 2-3 hours before closing, when possible. For Federally mandated screens, we are required to give the employee 3 hours to perform the test.
Worker's Comp
How do OHG physicians look out for the company's needs and the health needs of the patient at the same time?
The primary concern of our physicians is always the health and well-being of the patient. In many cases, maintaining a high standard of care can still be achieved without the use of prescription drugs and extensive time away from work. Our physicians know that employees want to get back to work and the employers want them back on the job. Through clear and constant communication, we work hard to make sure employees stay healthy and working.
When should we send a work comp injury to the clinic versus the Emergency Room?
In the case of a severed limb, a person who is unconscious or any injury that requires an ambulance, you would send the patient to the closest ER. Please note that if you use the Huntsville Hospital, Madison Hospital or Decatur-Morgan Hospital ER, OHG will have access to those patient records for follow up visits if necessary. Please be sure to send an After Hours Treatment Authorization Form with the employee to be sure the ER staff know to treat the case as a Work Comp injury.
Should we require a drug screen after an accident?
Performing a drug screen after an accident, where no injuries occur, is strictly up to each company. Some company policies require a drug screen after any type of incident, whether it is a car crash or running a fork lift into a wall. If your company does not have a current policy in place, we recommend consulting with legal counsel to develop a protocol for drug screening after an accident.
