EtG testing - seems impossible?

Nurses Recovery

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Eeeh. Might as well post this under my real username. I'm about to enter into the Kansas Nurse Assistance Program which requires monthly urine screens for three years. One false positive will get me reported to the BON. I know there are further gold standard tests that can be done but I don't think my program does these if you have a positive UA.

I've been doing some research on EtG testing and am wondering if it's even possible to go three years without getting a false positive? I can obviously abstain from alcohol. And I know about the obvious alcohol containing products like mouthwash, cold medicine, make-up and skin creams, hair dyes, hand sanitizer, fermented products like soy sauce, baked goods and flavored lattes...but my research seems to show that there are literally thousands of products that could possibly cause a false EtG reading. At least deodorants, toothpaste, and shampoos have to list ingredients -- I have no idea what's in my cleaning supplies or laundry detergent. (All of which are on various lists of products that could possibly cause a false EtG reading.) Apparently, yeast infections and UTIs can also cause false positives.

KNAP has been no help. They tell me to refer to the materials that they sent me but those materials are literally three small paragraphs on cold medicine and mouthwash, hemp products, and poppy seeds. I might call the testing facility tomorrow to see if they have anything more comprehensive.

But, like...this does get done, right? People have to pass these tests for all sorts of monitoring programs, probation, and to get jobs...but it seems like the internet (and even this board) is filled with people complaining about false EtG positives.

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

There is a list of all products that contain alcohol or any alcohol substrate - It's been a long time since I have had to refer to it. It is helpful but you can't live in fear otherwise you'll be sitting in a corner with a bottle of water and a box of Saltines. If it's any help I was tested randomly twice a month for 5 years in California and only had two false positives on was linked to PAM Cooking spray 98% alcohol (who knew) the other we never did figure out. On both I was taken off work until I had a negative test. I am not sure about Kansas but I would talk to an attorney before you "voluntarily" enter any monitoring or discipline program. You are entitled to due process under the law and you cannot be made to sign away your civil rights. While I strongly feel impaired nurses need treatment too many nurses are being railroaded intp programs without being advised of their rights. Ultimately diversion saved my life which I am thankful for - but I self reported to the board in my state which in retrospect I might not have done. Still everything happens for a reason and I am 11 years sober this October.

Signed with my full net identity

Hppygr8ful (those working a program will know what it means)

I'll see if I can find the list and link it here along with any other info I have in my files.

^My false positive was due to lamictal -- script was current with the program. It is a pretty well known false positive causing drug but was also the medication that saved my life. The nurse who essentially runs the program flipped out, saying that no one in the history of the program had ever had a false positive for PCP while taking lamictal. You can Google it. The warning is on the drug insert.

I had a huge spiel written out but it just occurred to me that she might read this forum and could identify me. lol

Is taking the Lamictal and getting a + PCP test the reason you had to do the nurse assistance program? I'm just curious since I take that drug too.

Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.
Is taking the Lamictal and getting a + PCP test the reason you had to do the nurse assistance program? I'm just curious since I take that drug too.

Oh no! I am an alcoholic and was already in a monitoring program prior. Lamictal is a med that I would def disclose to any pre employment screeners tho.

Just curious, I read that the Kansas board stopped using the ETG testing in March 2007. With all the lawsuits ect, they went back to standard testing. Any ideas of that is still the case?

http://www.ksbn.org/agendas/mar2007/minutes/Investigative%20March%202007.pdf

Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.
Just curious, I read that the Kansas board stopped using the ETG testing in March 2007. With all the lawsuits ect, they went back to standard testing. Any ideas of that is still the case?

http://www.ksbn.org/agendas/mar2007/minutes/Investigative%20March%202007.pdf

I think they went back to etg testing 2 or 3 years ago. I know our creat cut off levels were slightly changed because everyone was coming up dilute. There is also talk of extending the program to 5 years.

Five years?!?! For goodness sake! Who can even afford this? How has your program been going for you? I started not long ago and I've just been a ball of nerves. Like I will forget a deadline or if I don't feel well I lie there and suffer because I'm terrified to even take a tylenol. I'm also in the Kansas program.

Specializes in PICC nurse.

Hello, I have been giving samples for the last 7 years now and have never had a false positive for opiods or ETOH; however, that does not mean that I am not mindful of the possibilities. I use listerine, tons of hand sanitizer, but I do try to avoid cooking with ETOH if possible. Although, I have at times eaten those foods and still never had any false positives. I do stay completely away from poppy!!! I had a friend that ate a poppy muffin and tested positive; however, he took a liar detector test and passed it so they did not count it. If you read the labels an avoid etoh, hemp, and poppy it will be highly unlikely that you would test positive. I hope that helps

Specializes in PICC nurse.

Hello, I have been giving samples for the last 7 years now and have never had a false positive for opiods or ETOH; however, that does not mean that I am not mindful of the possibilities. I use listerine, tons of hand sanitizer, but I do try to avoid cooking with ETOH if possible. Although, I have at times eaten those foods and still never had any false positives. I do stay completely away from poppy!!! I had a friend that ate a poppy muffin and tested positive; however, he took a liar detector test and passed it so they did not count it. If you read the labels an avoid etoh, hemp, and poppy it will be highly unlikely that you would test positive. I hope that helps

It won't surprise me when all programs move to five years, most studies support five years. My state moved to five years after research found that nurses were relapsing in years two and three. It is stressful!

Nevada had a minimum 3 year policy. A couple years back I hears it was only 1 hut evidence based practice showed better outcome with 3 year policy

Specializes in Family Practice - Internal Medicine.

dirtyhippiegirl -- I totally understand your anxiety over this issue. I was already almost 5 months sober when I started the program (TPAPN), and knew that I would not have a problem drinking (I'm an alcoholic). However, I was petrified of having a "false positive," as I knew the ownership was going to be on me. However, I had to put things in perspective, and just take a deep breath. As Jack has pointed out, there are specific things to avoid, and the list he's offered is a good one. From hair gel, to spray, hand gels (I use a non-alcoholic one), and so on, I was really scared that something would set off the test and I'd be in real trouble. However, nothing like that has ever happened to me. I make sure to avoid any foods cooked with alcohol/wine etc. So, my favorite of Veal Marsala is distantly waiting for my order once my time is up (a few months away). I've found that the less I worried about it, the better off I was. What it came down to, was the inconvenience of it all -- having to pee before going to work. Now, no big deal. It's just the money I hate to blow. However, I've used the program on my tax refund as an expenditure. Yes...this is okay! In order for me to retain my license, work, and make income, the test is a professional expenditure. So, that's a big help!

Hang in there -- it will all be okay!! :)

I never thought of tests being a tax expenditure! Wow!

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