Affinity drug testing

Published

I have entered a probation with monitoring agreement with the board of nursing. I am to have random drug testing for a year including possible hair testing. The board uses Affinity testing. Do they usually do hair tests first thing when you start? I would assume they wouldn’t because obviously I would have had meds/alcohol in my system. Would they require hair testing towards the end to ensure compliance? Not sure how ‘random’ these tests are.

What is option 9 for affinity testing? 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mental health, Critical Care, Nurse Educator du.

No vacations with IPN! Maybe if you went abroad, with permission, you could get a vacation. 

IPN will do occasional blood tests for ETOH (if that was your DOJ). It really depends on what you are being monitored for.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care.
On 12/28/2020 at 1:03 PM, KyBeagle said:

In 2019, I completed the 5 year KARE program (KY). They utilize LabCorp (Affinity). I never had a Hair test & only one blood test in 5 years. Otherwise, it was urines 1-2 times/month (3X/month once). Urine tests were usually $41.50. Three - four times per year I would have a $65.00 urine test (I’m guessing these included etg). Tests were paid directly via the Affinity app.  Collection site fees were $10 at Labcorp sites. However, the closest Labcorp was about 45 miles away from me.  Thus, my specimen collections were always done at a nearby occupational therapy (OT) office. Collection site fee were paid directly to them each visit. Fees were $20.00 for a “Dry room” collection or $45 if observed (had 2 observed in 5 years). 

The one blood test (PEth) that I had was  $120 or $130 for the test (can’t recall exactly) & $20 for the collection site fee. 
Since I never had a hair test, I don’t know what KY’s actual hair tests cost but heard they were expensive. The collection site fee for hair at the OT clinic that I utilized would have been $40.

In 5 years with KY’s program through Affinity, I had a total of 104 urines, 1 blood test, & no hair tests. I had to check in 7 days/week. I couldn’t see a pattern to the “randomness”. Sometimes I was picked after a holiday & sometimes not. I was never picked on a holiday or weekend (although,  in the past year or so,  I’ve read on this site that one nurse in the KARE program was picked on several Saturdays in the last 2 months that she was in the program). I was never picked out-of-state when on vacation although I knew a nurse that was. 
I guess that I could see a difference in the frequency. In both the first AND last 12 months of the program, I had 2 tests/month (with 3 times in one month about 3-4 months before finishing). The middle 3 years I would have 4-5 months each year with only 1 test (2X the other months). With the exception of no weekend selections, I still never saw any type of a pattern with the randomness. 

@KyBeagle could you PM me? I have a question regarding the time you had to do the blood test and the ultimate outcome of it all. TIA!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Did you stay away from vanilla extract in baking and coffee? I have been told I can't even have Starbucks because they have "natural flavors" and could have alcohol metabolites in them. Is this true?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

does anyone know how long it takes for hair/nail tests to come back with affinity

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in APRN.

Anyone know what panel 789373  is for Labcorp? I got pulled to go this AM! It's like I know it is fine and I know I will pass but for some reason I still felt that like butterfly feeling in my gut. They make me nervous about the diluting urine. Like my urine is never diluted ?? but still!! IDK just feel like it's intense LOL 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care.
WeDoRecover95 said:

Anyone know what panel 789373  is for Labcorp? I got pulled to go this AM! It's like I know it is fine and I know I will pass but for some reason I still felt that like butterfly feeling in my gut. They make me nervous about the diluting urine. Like my urine is never diluted ?? but still!! IDK just feel like it's intense LOL 

Not sure what's on it exactly but I do know it doesn't included amphetamines because I take a prescription and that panel always comes back negative for me. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am on probation at this time and do random drug screens. I was horribly sick with allergies and sinus infection and took otc med....my test came back positive but won't let me see it and tells me talk to case manager. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had issues like this?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Mary Robinson said:

I am on probation at this time and do random drug screens. I was horribly sick with allergies and sinus infection and took otc med....my test came back positive but won't let me see it and tells me talk to case manager. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had issues like this?

Take a picture of what you're taking.  Pseudophed and benadryl are 2 of many meds we can't take. They can be abused. We have to have every medication we take approved by an addiction specialist.  I don't take anything ever. It's total BS 

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am on probation at this time and do random drug screens. I was horribly sick with allergies and sinus infection and took otc med....my test came back positive but won't let me see it and tells me talk to case manager. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had issues like this?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you! So the medication I see now has dextromethorphan hbr and phenylephrine hcl which I guess being so sick I just didn't pay much attention. That has to be what caused it because I don't even take Tylenol without freaking out right now. Will be so glad for May 2024 and be able put all this behind me ? 

20231123_151047-1.jpg
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Mary Robinson said:

Thank you! So the medication I see now has dextromethorphan hbr and phenylephrine hcl which I guess being so sick I just didn't pay much attention. That has to be what caused it because I don't even take Tylenol without freaking out right now. Will be so glad for May 2024 and be able put all this behind me ? 

20231123_151047-1.jpg

That absolutely caused a positive test 

 I'd be proactive and call tomorrow.  Hope no negative action is taken.  This is ridiculous that we can't treat colds etc 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion