Drug urine test after 12 hour shift

Nurses Recovery

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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.

Specializes in ICU, trauma, neuro.

First of all let me say that I absolutely believe you. I've seen equivalent and perhaps even worse behavior from fellow nurses and employers. To me there are three things you need to do:

a. Get the hair follicle test that you mentioned as it goes back three to six months (I believe). If you can afford it get two both from reputable companies.

b. Find and attorney experienced in nursing license defense.

c. If you have a union contact them yesterday.

d. If you can afford it sue them for defamation of character after your tests are positive.

When my wife was on orientation she had an experienced preceptor change out a TPN bag after she had checked it (after momentarily leaving the room for an emergent issue) to see if she would check it again before hanging. The same preceptor turned off her chest tubes suction for two hours to see if she would catch the mistake. When my wife failed these "tests" the preceptor demanded her termination from the CVCC to the manager and even admitted that she had done these things. Indeed, at the beginning of her "orientation" she was told that she would never make it there as they didn't like newer grads and that they couldn't afford to fill positions as they needed the "overtime" to pay for their cars and swimming pools. I tell you this only because it illustrates just how evil some people can be (this happened at the CVCC at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis around 2007 by the way).

Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

For all those that say the test should have been instant, that's not always the case. Send out specimens are very typical in these types of cases because the validity of the results could be easily questioned.. Taking 3 to 5 days is very typical for results.

OP:

Like I said, I'm suspect either way. I have yet to see a specimen swapped with another specimen. However, since you did not initial the bottle it calls this all into question. Also, the fact that you didn't sign any paperwork and they didn't give you a copy is very suspect. Furthermore, I may be pushing the ball here, but demanding your med list could be (dare I say?) a HIPAA violation. It's none of their business what meds you take. Even if you were taking something, such as a benzo, the MRO calls you and asks for Rx verification. Typically you are given a 48 to 72 hour turnaround to contact the MRO back. That's why we say 3 to 5 days on send out results.

I've given you what I know about this process. Start demanding answers. Two independent testers should have signed off on that result. Ask to see it. Demand to see the paperwork that was sent with the drug screen. The bag also should have been sealed in front of you then initialed and/or stickered then initialed. Also, why was it observed? Policy and procedure here is that it doesn't become a Direct observation unless 1. the temperature on the original specimen was out of range, thus meaning more than likely it did not come from the person's body or 2. the client has a known history of drug abuse and this is a pre-set requirement by their employer/rehab/whatever that it must be a DO. You don't just do a DO on anybody - there are set guidelines. If it truly was a DO, they violated some HUGE boundaries. Ask to see their policy on this matter.

I'm going to tell you why people are so suspect. I'd say 80% of people who come back positive are truly positive for illicit drugs. 19% are positive for Rx drugs like benzos but actually have a Rx. 1% - well there's always a margin for error. I have yet to see it happen, but mistakes do happen. We have so many people who try to cheat the system that many of us are suspect by nature. I've had condoms of urine fall out in front of me, I've had green urine before (scooped from toilet), and I've had people offer $100 to buy my urine and/or ask me to alter the test somehow.

I would speak to a lawyer ASAP. Possibly a legal nurse consultant if they exist in the field of Occ Health/WC. Discuss all the things I mentioned here and see where it takes you. I'm out of advice right now!

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to nurses and recovery as you will get appropriate answers from those with this experience.

Please do not post anymore details and DO contact a lawyer.

Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

I'm going to tell you why people are so suspect. I'd say 80% of people who come back positive are truly positive for illicit drugs. 19% are positive for Rx drugs like benzos but actually have a Rx. 1% - well there's always a margin for error. I have yet to see it happen, but mistakes do happen.

I've had lamictal come up as PCP and omeprazole test positive for THC, both cleared after further GC/MS testing. False positives do happen and it has happened to me twice!

Methadone is hard to abuse if you don't have access because access is so restricted. You don't see it in most hospital settings, too, which makes it an unlikely diversion candidate.

Specializes in Peri-Op.

I agree with those that say that if you are being 100% upfront with this, press charges and sue this place and the people involved for whatever you can get. I am not a lawsuit type of person but when they make threats against your livelihood its a different story. Wrongful termination, fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, def of character, etc......

Personally I cant say that i dont believe that people would do this. People can be vicious and cruel to others. I have had it happen but it wasnt something that would effect my license, it did effect my job though. I could have sued but it wasnt worth the hastle to me. If this situation happened to me I would definitely go for their jugular.

Specializes in LTACH/Stepdown ICU.

Personally I'd like to hear more and be updated on this situation at the OP's discretion.

Going into nursing school full-time this Fall, I know it takes immense effort to succeed.

I've heard many horror stories from new and experienced nurses about these things.

Basically I'd like to be prepared, and we all can do so by learning from others' experiences.

Hindsight is 20/20 for the OP. I've never worried about failing a drug test. I'm thinking the OP wasn't worried about failing the test, confident in her innocence as a non-drug abuser. Now she's got a trumped up accusation and is probably wishing she'd have done things differently immediately.. I don't see how you're helping by saying all the things *you* would have done in the situation.

I didn't intend to be insensitive but you're right. My response to being reported by several sources as having uncontrollable twitching and then marched off for a drug screen would have scared me having never experienced such an accusation. Apologies to the OP

They add a blue dye to the toilet water to keep you from using that water to dilute your test

Specializes in Ambulatory Care-Family Medicine.
Not at all relevant at this point in time, but a good piece of advice that I carry with me to this day--Do not EVER agree to any sort of "testing" that directly affects your livelihood or sign any document without obtaining legal advice.

My job description actually states that we can be randomly drug tested at any time without notice. However there is a form that is signed as others have stated and it is sealed in the employees presence and the label is initialed by the employee. Our company does not have the rapid test as all drug tests are sent to an outside facility for testing to help avoid errors (intentional or unintentional).

If we refuse a drug test it is considered quitting without formal notice and in the case of licensed employees (nurses, physicians, etc) it is reportable to the perspective licensing agency. Again this is all in our job descriptions and our employee handbook so if any employee wants to research the policy at any time they can.

Specializes in ICU, trauma, neuro.

Even though I consider myself a libertarian or even a right of center conservative this situation highlights the need for unions. Not even necessarily for better pay or benefits (although that would be nice), but just to preserve (at least to some extent) basic principles of fairness and due process. I work for the largest private hospital chain in the United States and can say that the cavalier way that they will place the lives of their patients and the careers of their nurses/doctors at risk is a bit shocking to me. They pretty much see lawsuits as a "cost of doing business" and the ruined lives and careers of those left in the wake as necessary sacrifices to be offered at the alter of sustained profitability. I made something of a "Faustian" bargain for the pay and to live here and now feel trapped (my intent had been that this be a temporary stop on my way to Hawaii, but it has become a swamp of stagnation). I can relate to the OP's scenario and could very much see it happening where I work if someone caused sufficient anger to the "wrong people" in management (you know like by posting negative things about the organization on a public forum). In any case good luck and God bless.

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

traumaRs, I apologize for posting in the wrong spot and disclosing any details that was not appropriate or not in compliance with this sites rules.

jadelvn- thank you for the advise, I wish I would have done all that at the time

myoglobin- thank you for the story about your wife, its aweful that happened to her and goes to show how deceitful people can be, I hope the place she moved on too shes happy at

The OMPRN- thank you for your personal training and experiences, Having read through all of those I realize there was so many red flags that was camouflaged by my naiveness

wake88- congratulations for being accepted into the nursing program, that's a chore in itself! good luck in your studies and keep your eyes on the prize- dont forget to update us when you rock that NCLEX!

thank you all for your encouraging, insightful advise, thoughts and personal experiences

Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.
I think it is easy to underestimate how dirty people can be. My one scrape with the BON was from a DON that was livid I resigned. She reported me for some made up crap on my LAST DAY of employment. It happens.

Mine waited until a month after I finished. :yes:

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