After the completion of my shift I was escorted by the house supervisor to another floor where a woman, hospital security, and house soup for the next shift waiting for me. I was told on the way there that several reports was made about me "acting more nervous than normal" and "uncontrolled twitching", so I was asked to give a urine sample. The testing company lady asked what medications I took and wrote those on her paper, added a substance to the toilet water and accompanied me in the bathroom for me to give my specimen. I was contacted by my superior stating I was suspended until the results came back. I called HR the 2nd full day after and inquired about the tests and was informed there was not anything under my name at that time. I emailed my superior again and was told HR would be the ones contacting me when the test came back. I also emailed HR just trying to find out what the time frame was for this, and if I needed to be doing something in the meantime, I was finally told by HR the test results can take anywhere from 3-5 days. I was called at almost 5 one afternoon with a message left to call back and nothing else. The next day I received an email and phone call that they wanted to meet with me. I was escorted to another office where my superior and another in a management position told me my test results came back positive. I was told my test showed methadone and benzo. I asked if the test could be reran, take another test, hair follicle test and/or polygraph and was told no. I was given information on TPAPN, a copy of the signed termination papers, and handed over my badge. I told them that I have never taken any of those drugs and told that "that's not what the test shows." I was informed I would be reported to the board and my best bet was to self enroll in TPAP. They stated they was going through my charting as well and my medication charting was "sloppy", which I'm not quiet sure how to take. I have since emailed and requested a copy of the reported drug test results and have not heard anything back yet. The MRO never contacted me during this process (after much googling I'm not 100% on the process) I take benadryl, nexium, sleep aid, tylenol, ibuprofen, and or tylenol. I'm not sure on my course of action at this point. On the way home I bought an at home test from CVS and took that test in front of my husband (I know this will not help my case at all at this point but I needed to know) that test was negative. I plan on getting my own hair follicle test on Tuesday at a DOT facility, I'm sending another email for a request in writing for another test to be ran on my sample I gave. I did sign the hospital consent and the paper from the testing company although I did not initial or sign anything after the sticker was placed on top of the specimen cup. I'm so furious at the whole process of this and feel like a dog chasing it's tail because I don't know what else to do. Has this happened to anyone else? I'm going through this tunnel just trying to locate the light at the end.
That's actually true whether you agree to it or not. Yes, many companies do have voluntary policies to restrict what kinds of information they give out about a former employee, but legally they can say pretty much anything if it is true to their knowledge.
With that in mind, I wonder if your lawyer could send them the results of your drug screen that "disproves" the former one, with a strong note saying that "now that they know you were drug free" you are confident that they will not defame you to future employers. The letter would contain strong verbiage that implies you will take legal action if they say or imply you were impaired on the job or taking illegal drugs.
Specializes in Surgical, Home Infusions, HVU, PCU, Neuro.
That's actually true whether you agree to it or not. Yes, many companies do have voluntary policies to restrict what kinds of information they give out about a former employee, but legally they can say pretty much anything if it is true to their knowledge.
With that in mind, I wonder if your lawyer could send them the results of your drug screen that "disproves" the former one, with a strong note saying that "now that they know you were drug free" you are confident that they will not defame you to future employers. The letter would contain strong verbiage that implies you will take legal action if they say or imply you were impaired on the job or taking illegal drugs.
You're genius!! That's such an amazing solution!! Thank you so so much!
Specializes in Surgical, Home Infusions, HVU, PCU, Neuro.
I got put on a year check in and random testing to prove I do not have a problem. I don't know if my hair test did anything for my case. I got to see my entire employee file though, that was interesting. The test COC and results they sent to the BON was ridiculous. The COC wasn't filled out, the receiver and tester was not marked, it doesn't show if and what confirmation test they did, the quanative results was hand written on the results page, the only thing relating to me on the results was my ss, the specimen numbers did not match, the confirmation test was dated the 27th ( I gave my sample at 8pm on the 26th) there was not any evidence that a MRO looked at anything or confirmed the results, there was a couple other things I noticed but can't think of them off the top of my head. So I have 365 days of checking in and seeing if I have to test, which is better than 3 years with stips so I'm trying to be positive.
Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.
Employers are required to do confirmation testing, at least all of the ones I've worked for have. There was a med I take that caused a false positive for PCP and they sent my urine for more sensitive testing which proved there was no PCP. This was for pre-employment. This med has caused this twice and both times more specific testing proved no PCP. Urine screening tests are not always very accurate, but the GC-MS testing in research labs are very accurate. You should insist on confirmation testing as it is your reputation and livelihood on the line.
Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.
Simply apply for your clinical site to be accepted as collection site it may cost you a few dollars $10-15.09 extra collection fee,,,, but was dine, and saved me one hour drive, one way to the defined collection site....
I got put on a year check in and random testing to prove I do not have a problem. I don't know if my hair test did anything for my case. I got to see my entire employee file though, that was interesting. The test COC and results they sent to the BON was ridiculous. The COC wasn't filled out, the receiver and tester was not marked, it doesn't show if and what confirmation test they did, the quanative results was hand written on the results page, the only thing relating to me on the results was my ss, the specimen numbers did not match, the confirmation test was dated the 27th ( I gave my sample at 8pm on the 26th) there was not any evidence that a MRO looked at anything or confirmed the results, there was a couple other things I noticed but can't think of them off the top of my head. So I have 365 days of checking in and seeing if I have to test, which is better than 3 years with stips so I'm trying to be positive.
Wow. I would definitely get a lawyer and go after them. I understand it may be costly and might not seem worth it to you. But I think I'd "go to the mattresses" on this one.
Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.
First off, what substance would they need to add to the water? My advice only and just my opinion but send them an email telling them you have hired an attorney ( even if you haven't) who will request copy of drug screen and what the substance was that was added to the water. Also go to your doctor in the morning on walk in basis or see if you can do a drug screening test or call a urgent care center to see if they offer it. You must get tested as close to the time frame of the one the employer took to help prove that your test results are altered somehow. If your innocent of taking these drugs, it's pathetic that someone is out to get your licensed suspended based on lies.
The the substance added to toilet water is usually methylene blue type of dye....
BeenThere2012, ASN, RN
863 Posts
This sounds like an awesome way to handle this.