Category: Medical Review Office

What Is A Dilute Drug Test?

Posted by on in Drug-Free Workplace, Medical Review Office, Non-DOT Drug Testing, USDOT Drug Testing, Workplace Drug Testing

Have you ever received a drug test result that said dilute? Applicants and employees who know they are going to test positive may attempt to tamper with their sample to pass the test. The most common way of doing this is by diluting their urine, leading to a dilute drug test result.

Diluting urine means that the donor drinks a significant quantity of water before providing a specimen, and their body is overly hydrated. However, it is possible that a donor doesn’t do this with the intent of cheating the system and simply drinks a lot of water in general.

It is widely known that some donors try to dilute their urine because they consumed drugs and are trying to flush out their system. This practice will result in a dilute drug test result.

What can be done?

A dilute drug test result can still be used. If it is positive dilute, then it is positive and the employer should proceed accordingly. However, If it is negative, the employer does have a few options to help in making the best determination.

An employer can require that anyone who has a negative dilute drug test be retested. The employer can specify that the donor retest via another urine drug test or can choose another testing method that may be harder to cheat. Keep in mind that when testing a DOT donor, it may be necessary to retest that donor under a Non-DOT policy if choosing another testing method. This would mean that the test, if positive, would not report to the clearinghouse as DOT only allows for DOT urine samples. The employer can choose other options like a hair follicle or saliva drug test, which are both conducted under direct observation. Contact our office for help in developing a testing protocol for a dilute drug test.

Illicit drug users who test negative dilute often slip through the system and get hired more often than one would think. Sometimes, these users will get caught through random testing or reasonable suspicion testing. Don’t risk it! The safety of the workplace should come first! We are here to help provide the resources needed to promote safety in the workplace. Contact us for answers to any questions!

New Forms Are on the Way!

Posted by on in Medical Review Office, Regulatory Update, Training, USDOT Drug Testing

New forms are on the way! We have been working with our lab partners since last year to provide a smooth transition. We have already ordered a batch for you, but the lab is limiting orders to no more than 25 per batch. If you need more, please email supplies@ntatesting.com to order. The old forms can be used after the expiration date, but the collector will need to complete the attached memorandum for record (MFR). If you do not have your new forms by the expiration, please send a copy of the MFR with the donor to the collection site. You may also want to include the instructions below:

MFR: https://ntatesting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/SAMPLE-Collector-MFR_Fillable.pdf

Preview the new form look: https://ntatesting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2020-fed-ccf-proof-3-1.pdf

The labs do not charge for DOT drug testing forms, but please limit your orders to a 1 year supply as the labs are already back ordered and experiencing some delays fulfilling orders. Please note that we do offer an electronic form option at no additional charge. The electronic form option allows the use of the new forms eliminating the need to wait for the paper forms. Email clientsupport@ntatesting.com for more information.

Important Dates

  • August 29, 2021 – last date to use the ‘old Federal CCF’.
  • August 30, 2021 – date required for using the ‘New Federal revised CCF’.  If you use the ‘old CCF’, you must complete a Memorandum for the Record (MFR). Otherwise, the test will be canceled.

What Are The Changes?

  • The revised CCF includes an option for oral fluid testing for certain federal testing agencies and divisions (does not include USDOT at this time)
  • Revisions under Step 1 for State/CDL information
  • Revisions under Step 1 for Collector, “Other” Contact Information, such as email address, etc.

How to Use the MFR With An ‘Old CCF’

  • Complete the MFR (A MFR can be obtained from NTA)
  • Insert the completed MFR along with ‘Copy 1’ of the CCF in the back pouch of the specimen bag to go the lab
  • Insert the sealed specimen bottles in the front pouch, seal the specimen bag and forward to the lab for processing

FAQ

  • How do we use the oral fluid testing?
    • Oral fluid testing is not allowed for DOT regulated employers yet. They are still working on reviewing it as a viable option. This was done for the other federal testing agencies and divisions that share this form with DOT regulated employers.
  • How long does it take to get the forms?
    • The labs are currently short staffed and backlogged with orders. It is taking anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks to receive forms. In the interim, you can use the MFR and continue testing as normal or you can use electronic chains through one of our solutions. If you do not wish to schedule your donors online for testing, you can have them call our office and we can do it for you until your new chains arrive.
  • How do I use the electronic forms?
  • Do the collectors know how to use the MFR?
    • The collectors should know how to use the MFR. However, not all collectors are trained the same. Feel free to share the “How to Use the MFR with An ‘Old CCF” with the collector. This will help ensure you don’t have any issues at the collection site.
  • What if the collector refuses to do the collection using the old chain?
    • Call our office immediately, while still at the collection site. This will allow us to speak to the collector and attempt to resolve the concern and provide the collector with proper instruction.  
  • Why weren’t we already shipped the new form?
    • The new forms weren’t made available until mid-June based on the DOTs recommendation to the labs. Since they were made available we have been ordering them for our clients, but the labs are still backordered. Please keep in mind every DOT company is having to get new forms. It is a bit of an undertaking to get it complete. We are working very closely with our lab partners to ensure a smooth transition.

How Long Are Substances Detectable?

Posted by on in Medical Review Office

Have you ever wondered how long substances are detectable in a urine drug test? Below is an overview of some substances that are detected and their detection time in urine drug testing.

 

Contact us if you are interested in more information.

Opioids
Substance Detected As Detection Time in Urine
Buprenorphine Buprenorphine & Norbuprenorphine 2 to 4 days
Codeine Codeine & Morphine 2 to 3 days
Dihydrocodeine Dihyrocodeine & Hydrocodone 2 to 3 days
Fentanyl Fentanyl 1 to 3 days
Heroin 6-MAM & Morphine 8 hours
Hydrocodone Hydrocodone & Hydromorphone 1 to 3 days
Hydromorphone Hydromorphone 1 to 3 days
Levorphanol Levorphanol Unknown
Meperidine Meperidine & Normeperidine 1 to 2 days
Methadone Methadone Up to 14 days
Methadone metabolite (EDDP) 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrroldine Up to 14 days
Morphine Morphine 2 to 3 days
Oxycodone Oxycodone & Oxymorphone 2 to 3 days
Oxymorphone Oxymorphone 2 to 3 days
Propoxyphene Propoxyphene & Norpropoxyphene Up to 7 days
Tapentadol Tapentadol 2 to 3 days
Tramadol Tramadol & O-Desmethyltramadol 2 to 4 days
Benzodiazepines
Substance Detected As Detection Time in Urine
Alprazolam alpha-Hydroxyalprazolam 2 to 4 days
Chlordiazepoxide Nordiazepam Oxazepam 2 to 4 days
Clonazepam 7-Aminoclonazepam 2 to 4 days
Diazepam Nordiazepam & Oxazepam 2 to 7 days
Flunitrazepam 7-Aminoflunitrazepam Unknown
Flurazepam 2-Hydroxyethyl flurazepam Up to 20 days
Lorazepam Lorazepam 5 to 7 days
Midazolam alpha-hydroxymidazolam Unknown
Oxazepam Oxazepam 2 to 7 days
Temezpam Oxazepam & Temezepam 1 to 4 days
Triazolam alpha-Hydroxytriazolam 1 to 2 days
Musculoskeletal Relaxants
Substance Detected As Detection Time in Urine
Carisoprodol Carisoprodol 1 day
Meprobamate Meprobamate 2 to 3 days
Stimulants
Substance Detected As Detection Time in Urine
Amphetamines Amphetamine 3 to 5 days
Cocaine metabolite (BE) Benzoylecgonine 1 to 2 days
Methamphetamine AMPH & MAMPH 3 to 5 days
Methylenedioxyamphetamine MDA 3 to 5 days
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine MDA & MDMA 3 to 5 days
Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine MDA & MDEA 3 to 5 days
Other Substances
Substance Detected As Detection Time in Urine
Cannabinoids (THC) THC-COOH Up to 45 days
Phencyclidine (PCP) PCP Unknown
Nicotine Cotinine 1 to 3 days
Alcohol EtOH 2 to 10 hours

FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse Services

Posted by on in Medical Review Office, Regulatory Update, USDOT Drug Testing

In preparation for the upcoming FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse effective January 6, 2020, NTA offers:

  • Updated FMCSA Substance Abuse Policies and Driver Educational Materials to add the new component of FMCSR Part 382.601 (#12). These updates are included in the Annual Management Fee for existing clients.
    • Policies and Educational material can be purchased by non-clients for $50.00.
  • Important: Owner-operators are required to designate a Third Party Administrator (TPA) to manage their clearinghouse processes. Nationwide Testing Association is your Third Party Administrator. If you need help registering and designating us as your TPA, please call our office.
    • Managing the clearinghouse process for owner-operators will be included in your annual management fee.

 

Our clients may choose to add the following package of services to their program. This package may be billed as a monthly, quarterly, or yearly subscription.

  • Full Queries run automatically after the completion of a pre-employment DOT drug test.
  • Annual Limited Queries run automatically on all drivers, either based on a predetermined date or scheduled with your annual MVR with Nationwide Testing Association.
  • Coordination, evaluation, and assistance with all required reporting.
  • Assistance in understanding and interpreting clearinghouse data.

 

Contact us for a quote!

CBD & Workplace Drug Testing

Posted by on in Medical Review OfficeLeave a comment

Recently CBD has gained popularity as some researchers say it could be highly beneficial to treat certain medical conditions. Many employers have questions about the effects of CBD on safety and how it will relate to their workplace drug testing policy and practices.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol or CBD is one of approximately 400 compounds found in cannabis, the same plant that produces the compound delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). While CBD comes from the same plant as THC and shares some similarities, it does not produce a “high.” Early research shows that CBD may benefit medical and therapeutic issues such as seizures, neurological diseases, pain, cancer, inflammation, and mood disorders, including PTSD.

In some medical marijuana states, CBD products are allowed to have residual levels of THC up to 5%. Early research of CBD products has shown some adverse reactions in some people such as drowsiness, fatigue, decreased blood pressure, anxiety, possible endocrine disruption, altered immune function, dizziness, psychomotor slowing, and diarrhea.

 Will I fail my test?

CBD itself would not report positive for marijuana or the marijuana metabolite. If the CBD product contains THC at a sufficiently high concentration (5% or higher as allowed in some states where medical/recreational marijuana is decriminalized), it may cause a positive. Keep in mind that CBD with a residual level of 5% THC is not legal in all states.

It is important to remember that neither CBD nor medical marijuana use is allowed to be considered an alternative medical explanation for the positive test result when the test is regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

The important part of workplace testing is to educate your staff and managers. Give us a call if you have any specific questions about CBD use in the workplace! 1.800.452.0030 ext. 0