Drug testing in the work force

I have had to take a urine drug screen prior to employment for every hospital job I have had. However, only once in 25 years have I had to give a random urine drug screen. After 8 years with that same hospital, my number just came up, in a random draw. They have their place, like if an employee falls or hurts themselves while "on the job," or a sentinel event, or some certain incident reports may require them. That just protects the employer and the patient. If you have a legitimate prescription, nothing illegal, and aren't impaired, then what's the problem.

I think drug testing is necessary, pre employment, upon injury and random. However I find it troubling that we're so lax with people who are prescribed narcotics like its fine for them to take opiates and work. Not talking about people who have a procedure done and need some relief until they heal, but chronic pain patients who use pain meds on the job. Why aren't they considered impaired?

Because they aren't abusing the medication.

But the medication still causes impairment to some degree.

And then there is a debate if person A slightly "impaired" may still be safer than person B not impaired....

So, so true. I've worked with people stone cold sober who will handle a Hep C patient's bed linens ungloved, then get into the med cart without washing their hands.

I hate to think if there was a bodily fluid in that underpad we just pulled them up with, and then she draws up meds for someone else.... *shudder*

It appears that Rebecca has finished her homework assignment based on the answers posted, and has now checked out of the thread.