Drug urine test after 12 hour shift

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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.

I know this is already cleared up for you for the most part but I just read through the whole thing. I spent a lot of time in occ health doing drug screens. The numerous errors that occurred during your drug screen are INSANE. We were told multiple times, that if we missed just ONE step, that a valid positive drug screen would be more than likely thrown out if an employee contested it and a paper error was found. Then we would be answering for that error.

I know you can't talk about it on here but I sincerely hope you sue the testing company and your hospital. The thing I was always cognizant of when doing screens was that I was holding someone's job, their livelihood, in my hands. If I missed something, didn't label something, and their sample was somehow swapped with another person's positive, it would ruin their lives. That company and the hospital need to answer for that.

I am unclear whether or not yours was a split sample but the rule is if you get a positive on the first, the second is automatically sent out for a retest. And the test taker can request the information and second sample results at anytime. I just feel badly for your situation and hope your financially compensated for your mental stress this must have taken on you and your family. I am horrified at the entire story.

Specializes in Surgical, Home Infusions, HVU, PCU, Neuro.
I know this is already cleared up for you for the most part but I just read through the whole thing. I spent a lot of time in occ health doing drug screens. The numerous errors that occurred during your drug screen are INSANE. We were told multiple times, that if we missed just ONE step, that a valid positive drug screen would be more than likely thrown out if an employee contested it and a paper error was found. Then we would be answering for that error.

I know you can't talk about it on here but I sincerely hope you sue the testing company and your hospital. The thing I was always cognizant of when doing screens was that I was holding someone's job, their livelihood, in my hands. If I missed something, didn't label something, and their sample was somehow swapped with another person's positive, it would ruin their lives. That company and the hospital need to answer for that.

I am unclear whether or not yours was a split sample but the rule is if you get a positive on the first, the second is automatically sent out for a retest. And the test taker can request the information and second sample results at anytime. I just feel badly for your situation and hope your financially compensated for your mental stress this must have taken on you and your family. I am horrified at the entire story.

It has been a year for the books that's for sure! Definately a character challenge, I've cried, cussed, screamed, used a punching bag, consumed myself with Google ( we are officially acclimated and I should be testing for my investigating license any day now). My kiddos have been my saving grace and I have proof that all these years they have both actually been listening to me. Nothing like a reality check when they tell me that it's ok to be sad and dissappointed but nothing is going to change unless you make it. So that's where we are still at, making the change.

My collected sample was not split, if they did split it they did not do it in my presence. This whole mess has been screwed up from the get go, that is my professional opinion anyway! It's insane the regualtions that are not required on testing facilities or their staff. These people hold so much of someone's "tomorrow" in their hands and see specimen numbers and not the consequence of a test that has not been held up to par. Google drug test mess ups, I felt guilty after reading some of the horror stories out there. It's scary the "power" enabled to those that just see a paycheck when they process the samples.

I've said it before- If this wasn't happening to me I would have a hard time believing it and would doubt the events as described. So for now I do hope that people read this thread, take with them what could very well happen to any of us, and be able to be a couple steps ahead so they, or who they may share this with, will not ever have to go through anything like this. And one day be able to help me make the change.

Specializes in Surgical, Home Infusions, HVU, PCU, Neuro.

The BON is closing my case without prejudice after getting into contact with the testing company's owner! It's taken a little over a year and slowly but surely I'm claiming my life back!

Wow, I know you are probably relieved to have this all over, however that testing company owes you a substantial amount of money.

You need to write down all the costs you incurred over the year this took place, drug testing, the hair test, lawyers fees, the loss of wages you would have received from your job, retirement account matches, etc and find a lawyer to sue the testing company for actual damages plus pain and suffering. This could easily go into the six figures realm!

I would NOT let this go, there was an injustice done to you and I would fight to find a lawyer that would take your case.

I almost wonder if a website where nurses can leave real feedback on hospitals, conditions, bad actors would be useful — I guess so many incidents are easy identified by detail and fear of retribution exists. It's been my experience that a general bad manager/idiot HR screws over lots of people and it would be prolly impossible for them to recall who. Perhaps if it could be reported without incident detail and just general "has drug test issues at that facility" or "manager on 3E is awesome, great place to work" "ICU preceptor at Broken Heart did not want to precept and she reminded me of it". Or a warning — anything. Places that are plagued, usually stay that way with big change.

Your story seems like a CAUTIONARY TALE and a very bad one indeed.

http://www.Travelnursecentral.com You can leave feedback on hospitals on there. If the hospital isn't listed, add it. You don't have to be a travel nurse to do it and you remain anonymous. I urge everyone on here that has had a problem with a hospital falsely accusing you of something, rate them on this website. You can bet your bottom dollar that I rated the hospital that falsely accused me of this. If anyone wants the name of that hospital, I will gladly give it to them. I think hospitals need their cages rattled as well. There is no consequences to hospitals for falsely accusing people and they stand up and poke their chests out and beat on it like a gorilla, proud that they report nurses to the BON! Nursing has become ridiculous!!!

Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
I did read a article online that on some urine testing a blue dye is added to toilet water to prevent a urine sample from being diluted with water.

Yes, this is the way it is done where I work.

I would turn the names in to the Board of Nursing, write a letter, that is falsifying information. Bad practice by this supervisor. When this happened to me, I got my own urine test and it came back negative. I saved all paperwork and requested a copy of chain of custody. It turned out that the specimen was read the next morning rather than the time frame it was suppose to be read (I think about 5 minutes) and it is void if read after a certain time frame. I also copied the name of the lab company on the specimen cup in case there were inconsistencies with the company, maybe even having to get them involved. I did this without them knowing. I was able to keep my job (not like I wanted to work there), but I was also ready to file suit. That was my reputation. Their chain of custody was laughable.

Looking back I would have reported them to the BON for lying and bad practice. After all, they're still practicing while dealing with you.

Report them now. I see this is an old thread, but you could still report them.

Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.

I'm so glad to hear this. How are things going for you now?

The BON is closing my case without prejudice after getting into contact with the testing company's owner! It's taken a little over a year and slowly but surely I'm claiming my life back!
Specializes in Surgical, Home Infusions, HVU, PCU, Neuro.

Report who exactly? The hospital or lab?

I have slowly but surely reclaimed my life back, and hopefully in the near future be able to close this chapter for good.

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