Drug testing Labor patients

fergus51 · Oct 18, 2003

We only tested if there was some suspicion of drug use. We asked all women if they were using, and a lot were very honest. If they said they were, or if the nurse or doc suspected, we would test them. If positive social work would be involved relating to the baby.

NurseyNursey · Oct 18, 2003

We will test if we are suspicious or if the patient has had a prior positive drug test. We will often test the baby depending on the type of substance used. Otherwise, we just keep an extra close eye on the newborn.

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Oct 18, 2003

We test if there is hx of drug use, or we have suspicion the mom has used. Likewise for the babes.

acuteobrn · Oct 19, 2003

We test all that walk in with preterm labor and if there is a suspicion of abruption....I work in an area that serves the under privilidged...so there is a high drug-use rate, unfortunately. Of course we ask all who walk in the door, some are honest, some only after we tell them that we are sending a urine tox, some are in a constant state of denial, even when we have the results in hand. Sad really. But the good thing is it isn't allways the case, most do try during their pregnancy to refrain. Of course we also test under suspicion or history. We do tell them after obtaining the urine tox results and social workers get involved for any positive. As for the baby, well nursery handles that and the neo is at any delivery for + tox, I believe they do a mec stat as well as treat for withdrawal. DCFS also will get involved too. Just last week a "mom" dropped in abrubted and left AMA w/o her infant...just couldn't handle it I guess, unfortunately this child will be in the system for a while going through withdrawal from heroin. So sad.

AndreaRN23 · Oct 27, 2003

The hospital where I currently work tests anyone and everyone that walks in the door. No matter what the complaint is. We do not inform the patient we are doing a drug screen... it's just "policy" here.

If a mom has a positive screen if she is in labor then when the baby is born we get a urine sample from the baby and send off the first stool for tox screening. WHY they do this I have no idea because when you report it NOTHING is ever done. Mom take the baby home, even if the baby is positive!! so what is the point in doing anything in the first place!

rdhdnrs · Oct 27, 2003

We test those with a history of drug use, those who present with s/s of being high, and all those with no prenatal care. I'm not sure what the nursery does, I think they test the babies of the moms we test.

LuvofNursing, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 4, 2010

AndreaRN23,

I'm surprised about things not happening after baby is found positive. CPS is involved in all cases where baby is + for anything other than MJ (sometimes opiates depending on the patient's situation)

At our hospital, we test premature labor, abruptions, Hx of drug use/previous + tox screens, suspicious behavior, limited/no prenatal care.

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 4, 2010

History of prior use, no prenatal care, preterm/precip delivery, abruption, or anything that might make the nurse suspect drug use.

The pt must consent. We cannot do a urine drug screen without the pt's consent (we can, however, do one on the infant after it's born without the mother's consent, and if she won't consent and the situation is highly suspicious, CPS would probably get involved.

morte, LPN, LVN · Jul 4, 2010

History of prior use, no prenatal care, preterm/precip delivery, abruption, or anything that might make the nurse suspect drug use.
The pt must consent. We cannot do a urine drug screen without the pt's consent (we can, however, do one on the infant after it's born without the mother's consent, and if she won't consent and the situation is highly suspicious, CPS would probably get involved.

why is it legal to do a test on a minor child without the consent of the guardian?

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 4, 2010

why is it legal to do a test on a minor child without the consent of the guardian?

Don't know. We must have a written order from the ped.

morte, LPN, LVN · Jul 4, 2010

Don't know. We must have a written order from the ped.

but that doesnt make it legal...