UA/drug test failed

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi,

I recently took a ua/drug test at work, and it came out positive for THC (MJ). The test was taken because a pt. bit me and after an incident occurs, we are required to take a ua/drug test. When they asked me, I thought nothing of it, I had nothing to hide, so I took it. I get a call the next day, saying I have been suspended. I thought, fine, there must be a mistake because I have never inhaled/smoked or even taken any illegal substance. So I was calm.

I was called in to go to the DON's office, and she said I had tested positive for MJ. I said that there are patients on medications with THC and that is the only exposure I have had. I asked if it is possible that the lady that bit me was on any medication with THC and she really did not know. I asked for another ua and she did it. The results are pending.

She also said that I would be terminated due to the positive results (I am sure of the first test). She said that is the policy. That is fine, I understand a policy but I know I have never inhaled this substance.

I asked her for a copy of the results of the first test and she didn't know if she could get a copy or not. I don't want to sign anything/separation papers unless I have the results of the test. I have gone (the same day) to get an independent ua done.

I am devestated because I feel I am being accused of something I didn't do. I don't hang out with anyone who uses drugs, so needless to say when she said this to me, I was in disbelief. I have never failed or tested positive for a drug test.

p.s. The tests were from My First Lab (12 panel).

Any advice would be appreciated.

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Call your today. Get your union involved if you have one.

I am so sorry this has happened to you.

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Specializes in NICU, Acute Rehab, Med/Surg, Quality.
Hi,

I recently took a ua/drug test at work, and it came out positive for THC (MJ). The test was taken because a pt. bit me and after an incident occurs, we are required to take a ua/drug test. When they asked me, I thought nothing of it, I had nothing to hide, so I took it. I get a call the next day, saying I have been suspended. I thought, fine, there must be a mistake because I have never inhaled/smoked or even taken any illegal substance. So I was calm.

I was called in to go to the DON's office, and she said I had tested positive for MJ. I said that there are patients on medications with THC and that is the only exposure I have had. I asked if it is possible that the lady that bit me was on any medication with THC and she really did not know. I asked for another ua and she did it. The results are pending.

She also said that I would be terminated due to the positive results (I am sure of the first test). She said that is the policy. That is fine, I understand a policy but I know I have never inhaled this substance.

I asked her for a copy of the results of the first test and she didn't know if she could get a copy or not. I don't want to sign anything/separation papers unless I have the results of the test. I have gone (the same day) to get an independent ua done.

I am devestated because I feel I am being accused of something I didn't do. I don't hang out with anyone who uses drugs, so needless to say when she said this to me, I was in disbelief. I have never failed or tested positive for a drug test.

p.s. The tests were from My First Lab (12 panel).

Any advice would be appreciated.

You have a legal right to your drug test. In my state you can have your license tagged for that and require rehab before your license can be cleared. Hope everything works out.

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She cannot deny you a copy if the results. You are entitled to them. I would be getting others involved like the others suggested.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

That is crazy. really hoping you can get this fixed. Smart move getting an independant lab to test. I wonder if any foods/supplements could cause this to happen?

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Specializes in ICU.

My hospital claims that protonix can cause a false positive marijuana test. That is the only PPI that I have heard of that does this.

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Why did they do a drug test on you if you were bit?

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Specializes in Critical care.

^^That's a pretty standard practice. It satisfies the facilities desires for "random" drug screens, but mostly satisfies the workman's comp carrier's desire to reduce their liability in a claim where the employee can be proven to be impaired. Certain industries like trucking, nuclear power and etc are Federally mandated to 100% post-accident drug testing, otherwise the discretion is left up to the employer and the insurance carrier.

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Thanks, I had never heard of that.

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Specializes in Pedi.
My hospital claims that protonix can cause a false positive marijuana test. That is the only PPI that I have heard of that does this.

It can. As can poppy seeds.

Some drugs cause false positives for crazy things. I once had a young child (somewhere between 4-6, I think) test positive for PCP. Apparently Lamictal (an anti-epileptic drug) is known to do this and since he was on it, the medical team wasn't the least bit concerned.

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Specializes in hospice.

Um...how would poppy seeds cause a false positive for marijuana?

Opioids, okay, maybe. But THC? How?

http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20100528/drug-tests-often-trigger-false-positives

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

Maybe OP went to a Grateful Dead concert and was exposed to other concertgoers smoke.

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