Employee injury at LTC-drug screen?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2012

Some LTC facilities have this policy and others do not.

Here's the rationale. The employee who legitimately injures oneself at work and has a clean urine drug screen might be able to sue the workplace, be eligible for worker's compensation, have all medical bills related to the injury paid, etc.

However, the injured employee who has a positive (dirty) urine drug screen is eligible for nothing and can even have his/her employment terminated.

cienurse · Nov 9, 2012

What part of the country are you in? Because I have been a DON in LTC for over 14 years for several different companies and have never heard of this policy. Sure is a strange one, though! And I'm not sure how legal it is for a company NOT to cover a work-related injury-dirty urine or not. I've only heard of companies that don't have to cover an injury that occurs on the premises when an employee is working "off the clock," and otherwise should be off the premises. Just goes to show, you learn something new every day!

Blackcat99 · Nov 9, 2012

I'm in Florida. Yes, I had never heard of it till now either.

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2012

sounds like one way to avoid having to pay workers comp! I would check with your state BON for legality

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Nov 10, 2012

I'm in the midwest and I've worked for 3 different companies over the last 7 years and they have ALL had the policy to do a drug screen immediately post injury.

My husband was a truck driver and now is a union heavy equipment operator - this has also been the policy in his places of employment as well.

Editorial Team / Admin · Nov 10, 2012

Not LTC, but when my sister dealt with workplace injuries in an ER, drug tests were required by pretty much everyone. It's a reason to deny workers' comp if the drug screen comes back positive and a way for the company to protect themselves.

KRODD · Nov 10, 2012

At my LTC facility, any employee who gets injured must take a drug screen immediately.
I was just curious if other LTC facilities are doing this too? I am not sure if I understand the rationale behind it?

Walmart has the same policy as weel of lots of emplyers its a insurance thing.

MichelleRN34, ADN, RN · Nov 11, 2012

I have heard of this in nursing and outside of nursing. Its a common practice here in NC.