Hello all. I've been an RN for 12 years, unblemished record, stellar recommendations, and most of my experience is in critical care. I started working for a large urban health system 3 months ago. I inadvertently took home a partial vial of Fentanyl from my ED shift that I should have wasted but forgot. The next morning I brought the vial back, notified the ER Charge, the House Supe, and my Supervisor. Per the direction of the House Supe, I took the vial to pharmacy for recording and immediately reported to Employee Health for a UDS. That all seemed reasonable and expected to me. Two days later I got a call from Employee Health telling me that the MRO requested an "immediate observed urine drug screen". She didn't know the reason. I assumed that meant the EH RN would watch me pee. However, what that required was me pulling my pants and underwear down to my knees, pulling up my top, and turning a full circle in front of the employee health nurse. Then she watched me pee. Needless to say, I was humiliated. I sent a written complaint to my supervisor, who forwarded it to our Director, who wrote back that she was appalled that this happened. I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but I'm wondering if anyone has experienced or heard of this kind of invasive UDS? Thanks!
No fing way...Please Name the hospital or where ever this was at? I simply would not allow someone to degrad me in such fashion for a job. When I was hired at the Veteran Affairs none of this foolishness occurred.
Except for the facility that required no UDS at all, every place I've worked has required you to show the observer a 360 degree view of your lower abdomen, pelvis, and upper thighs.
There are a wide range of easily obtainable products for cheating a UDS, usually involving some form of container for clean urine with a tube running towards the pelvis, some even use a fake member that the urine comes out of, some are inserts that go into a bra, etc. I'm not particularly fond of exposing myself for a pre-employment screen, but any screen that doesn't do this is essentially only screening out those who don't know how to buy something off the internet.
Was this a ten panel screening? I would of allowed them to take a blood test. My problem with urine drug testing is the accuracy of the test. People on weight loss supplements get flagged positive and lose their job over this foolishness. I hoped they tested for only the drug in question.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
I honestly do not understand what the fuss is about.
Every patient admitted to psych is viewed with nothing on but a smile. Or a frown. I try to be very respectful and let them know it's for everyone's safety.
I am no better than a patient, and though I am definitely not an exhibitionist, I would not hesitate show my stuff in order to prove everything was above board.
The negative drug screen doesn't rule out the possibility that the person isn't stealing and selling the drugs. You are always assumed to be guilty until proven otherwise.
They did not check for a small bag taped to your calf? That would keep it warm enough for a few minutes. I am pretty sure I could get 50 ml under the arch of my foot, if I take the footbed out of the right pair of shoes.
You sound like a heads up nurse. If you wanted to, could you have figured out a way to submit somebody else's urine?
A drug test without any kind of verification is a joke. Anybody to dumb to beat most drug tests is really to dumb to be a nurse.
I have heard of a doc who flushed his own bladder, instilled his son's urine, and peed it into a cup.
These observed drug screens are degrading and dehumanizing, but they are all too common. The lower your pants and turn 360 degrees routine is standard, unfortunately.
Is it standard to do an observed drug screen for a nurse with no history of diversion admits to accidently taking home a controlled drug? That would be my question for your company OP. I ran a company's whole drug screening program, including ones for federal agencies. The only time we did an observed screen was if it was follow up testing for a positive random or for a few other unique and uncommon circumstances like someone self admitting themselves to a rehab program and then returning to work.
If an employee was brought to me for a breath alcohol test and they blew positive, they would automatically get a urine drug screen as well, even then it was non observed that first time.
I know you feel mortified, that is a normal reaction for someone who wasn't stealing and has no history of it. Just know it most likely wasn't done for the sole purpose of mortifying you, they must have been following the company policy for diversion. I would check into those policies because if they were not supposed to do an observed at that point, you can lodge a complaint with HR if you wish. But from someone who has been in the occ health/drug testing field, I would rather there have been NO question whether I was diverting and would have dropped pants gladly. But I also have the value of knowing why they do that and it would bring me more comfort than embarrassment knowing that my company knew it was a complete accident and I was in no way trying to tamper with testing. There are companies that make devices for people to use clean urine that isn't theirs. I have seen some crazy/crafty things from people trying to get out of giving their urine.
You sound like a honest person who made an honest mistake and did the right thing. Try to move forward with that knowledge and I think looking into your company's policies may make you feel better if you find that its a standard thing for all employees who accidently take home drugs.
This is not that uncommon. I had to do this to work for the state. With all the ways to cheat a UA, they are only looking out for their best interest. I would have cooperated fully to keep my job and hopefully wipe my slate clean.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Except for the facility that required no UDS at all, every place I've worked has required you to show the observer a 360 degree view of your lower abdomen, pelvis, and upper thighs..
And I've done pre-employment UDS 6 times, and I've NEVER done it the way described in the OP. Having never experienced what the OP described before, I would have been quite taken aback as well. And I'm certainly not a "delicate flower" as someone else stated.
We had a situation at my old job where 6 Morphine tabs came up missing at count. There was a required observed urine screen required of both myself and the nurse coming on (who incidentally was the off going nurse when I came on duty.) It was done in the way you described. I was not pleased, but did what was asked of me. End result is that we were both clean. The missing tabs were a discrepancy that lasted nearly 26 hours where another nurse neglected to sign out the doses on that cart. I couldn't tell who was more embarrassed however between myself and the HR rep. I just let it go... Put frankly, I'd rather suffer a temporary indignity than defend myself against a state board following being dismissed.
MunoRN, RN
8,058 Posts
Except for the facility that required no UDS at all, every place I've worked has required you to show the observer a 360 degree view of your lower abdomen, pelvis, and upper thighs.
There are a wide range of easily obtainable products for cheating a UDS, usually involving some form of container for clean urine with a tube running towards the pelvis, some even use a fake member that the urine comes out of, some are inserts that go into a bra, etc. I'm not particularly fond of exposing myself for a pre-employment screen, but any screen that doesn't do this is essentially only screening out those who don't know how to buy something off the internet.