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've had a positive pre-employment urine drug screen that came back positive (it was sent out and took nearly a week); I was shocked! They sent the same urine for more extensive testing at a different site, and I was cleared, based on my prescription medications. It was a nerve-wracking experience and delayed the start of my employment by 3 weeks, which was a hardship, but I survived!
For those of you in the drug-testing jobs, how many of the accused will happily march into a bathroom to provide a drug test immediately? The only one I know of refused and was immediately terminated.
For those of you in the drug-testing jobs, how many of the accused will happily march into a bathroom to provide a drug test immediately? The only one I know of refused and was immediately terminated.
I've worked for places that did random drug testing, though I've personally only been tested at hire. Even so, I would not refuse a drug test. If I did, I would be fired immediately and ineligible for rehire, and I would have to explain that to every single employer for the rest of my life. I would be jobless and with a new stain on my employment record. No thank you. But after reading posts here I'd probably run out and get an independent test of every relevant type run IMMEDIATELY to cover my patootie.
Did they collect a urine test with the two controls? Usually they test one there and then if suspicious the controls are sent to the lab. I know one girl messed up and we had to see if my test was positive. It wasn't so she tested the regular UA off a control. The controls have to be initialed and sealed too.
Specializes in Surgical, Home Infusions, HVU, PCU, Neuro.
I had 1 collection container handed to me to pee in. I didn't learn of a split process until after I was informed of the results, and utilized the wonderful Google search engine. The top was taped, stickered or whatever term appropriate by the collection lady. I was not asked to sign after "sealed". I did not witness the specimen getting placed in a bag, so I have no knowledge if there was a bag it was placed in that was sealed and/or taped and initialed. I asked upon my termination meeting for the sample to be reran and was denied, I asked to provide another sample and was denied for that as well. I never heard from anyone at the lab in regards to anything. I havent seen policy for testing for suspicion and that needing to be a direct observation collection. I now believe I have even more questions in relation to this "hockey sticks" than I did leaving the facility after the results disclosure meeting. Positive vibes, prayers, well wishes, jumping backwards 7 times, rain dance or lighting a candle (whatever it is that you do or practice) will be greatly appriciated!
I had 1 collection container handed to me to pee in. I didn't learn of a split process until after I was informed of the results, and utilized the wonderful Google search engine. The top was taped, stickered or whatever term appropriate by the collection lady. I was not asked to sign after "sealed". I did not witness the specimen getting placed in a bag, so I have no knowledge if there was a bag it was placed in that was sealed and/or taped and initialed. I asked upon my termination meeting for the sample to be reran and was denied, I asked to provide another sample and was denied for that as well. I never heard from anyone at the lab in regards to anything. I havent seen policy for testing for suspicion and that needing to be a direct observation collection. I now believe I have even more questions in relation to this "hockey sticks" than I did leaving the facility after the results disclosure meeting. Positive vibes, prayers, well wishes, jumping backwards 7 times, rain dance or lighting a candle (whatever it is that you do or practice) will be greatly appriciated!
So what do you plan to do about this? Did you get a hair follicle test done? If not, why not? Have you consulted a lawyer? Sending you positive vibes is not going to help you; taking action might. If I were in your position, I'd be taking pretty aggressive action and I would be willing to sue to protect my license.
My best advice is first to be honest with yourself if you are using. Get in the program and get well. It saved my life. I fought being honest at first and it cost my license when if I'd just been honest I could have gotten the help I needed sooner and also probably have been back to work by now. They knew the truth, tests don't lie and you will lose your license if you don't . it's very hard to fight for it after you've lost it (trust me) .
I'd talk to a lawyer. OP, is it possible in anyway that the sample collector could have mixed your sample up with someone else's? You said your sample could have been unmarked.
False positives scare me to death! Once they see that positive then blinders go on and you are labeled guilty. No matter what you say or do they don't listen. It's as if you are the first person in the world to have a false positive. From some research I have done and experiences I have had is that Benadryl is one drug that can give you a false positive for methadone. Methadone is not real common in the hospital setting so diversion is not likely. The other one I have commonly seen is Ambien giving a false positive for benzo's. I have a
so heard of other sleeping medications also giving a false positive for benzo's.
The one thing that gets me here is how this is taken so casually by labs. These tests they have been doing have been around for many years without much improvement. False positives are widely discussed yet when they happen people play dumb and jump immediately to the subject of the test is just lying! Really? Everytime? Then that would mean there is no such thing as a false positive right? How can we prevent these? Thes tests that are "routine" are ruining lives and careers. What is a defense for a false positive? How can we prove it? I read it on this site time and time again and there are countless articles online as well. There has got to be a better answer!!!
Kallie my heart goes out to you. I hope a solution emerges from the wreckage without destroying your career. Keep your head up. Don't let the people on here or for that matter anywhere bother you or question your character or honesty. You know the truth and that's what matters. I am sure it's one of the scariest moments in time and having no control makes it 1,000 times worse. Keep your head up and feel all the love and support you have from so many on this site. Please keep us up to date on matter if you don't mind. We all like seeing a good outcome as well as the educational piece we all gain from your unfortunate circumstance.
Specializes in Surgical, Home Infusions, HVU, PCU, Neuro.
Im pretty sure after all of this I should be able to add internet investigation and navigation to my "skills" list. I appriciate everyone's insight on this unfortunate topic, and those that shared their personal stories, and those that divulged first hand knowlege of substance abuse and the consequences it renders, thank you. I do not take pills, drink, or any other mind altering method. What's still amazing is the scientific, technical, and innovating advancements that "we" have progressed to, we haven't improved the methods of determining if someone has or has not used the various chemicals we test for in this instance. The label that we, intentional or not, place on the individuals who "fail". I can honestly say that before this happened to me, I was one of those. One that got results of these tests on a pt and never thought it may be wrong, an over the counter medication can metabolize or cross react and show something that was never there. The "positive" label is a lot harder to erase for anyone. This "label" has me using other tests, to prove my innocence, retaining legal council to fight for my name, for my license, my reputation and my dignity. I hope and pray no one else has to worry about something like this
walkingrock, ADN
178 Posts
I've had a positive pre-employment urine drug screen that came back positive (it was sent out and took nearly a week); I was shocked! They sent the same urine for more extensive testing at a different site, and I was cleared, based on my prescription medications. It was a nerve-wracking experience and delayed the start of my employment by 3 weeks, which was a hardship, but I survived!