A taboo subject?

[fumd]

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I had this discussion with a friend of mine earlier today, and we had no answer. Anyone know if drug testing is commonly done for residency programs? If so, when is it done and what programs (especially in the northeast) do or do not test? Hell, Match Day's on St. Patrick's Day and there's another 3 months before it's time to get serious and leave the lungs alone. I know a lot of people are curious about it, but it's kinda tough to ask a resident without looking like an ass.

 

[Snoopy]

We got tested at the start of residency at University of Rochester. I was under the impression that this is a requirement of New York State but could be wrong. The testing occurred prior to orientation in late June/early July.

 

[fuzzyerin]

I have heard that drug testing can begin any time from the time you sign your contract (usually a day or two after Match) until the day you begin residency. Obviously, it can and probably will continue in residency.

 

[Celiac Plexus]

i'm a pgy-2 surgery resident....

i was tested during at the start of residency during orientation. i think, unless there are special circumstances, this will be the only time the residency ever tests you. these tests aren't cheap to run and administer, so unless you show up with bong resin on your white coat, or talk incessantly about how high you got off your special stash of mexican cheeba, then i think urine drug screening is something you will only have to deal with once, (if at all).

as a surgery resident though i have actually been tested multiple times... i was stuck four times by needles during my intern year and every time I had to go to the health/safety office and have blood drawn and give urine for a drug/etoh screen. i think this is generally standard operating procedure.

also, if you change insurance companies, you might have to get a piss test as well... though i am less sure about this.

free advice: now that you are about to become a grown-up, and have a grown-up job, you might consider that now is a great time to give up certain... recreational habits.

 

[yaah]

I am pgy-1 in path (michigan) and have never been tested. I believe they asked if I had any convictions or anything. They haven't asked me to be tested nor have they brought it up. No doubt the possibility is there though - frankly I am not personally concerned about it so I don't have a lot of info.

 

[fumd]

So...you're saying I need to stop masturbating?

i'm a pgy-2 surgery resident....

i was tested during at the start of residency during orientation. i think, unless there are special circumstances, this will be the only time the residency ever tests you. these tests aren't cheap to run and administer, so unless you show up with bong resin on your white coat, or talk incessantly about how high you got off your special stash of mexican cheeba, then i think urine drug screening is something you will only have to deal with once, (if at all).

as a surgery resident though i have actually been tested multiple times... i was stuck four times by needles during my intern year and every time I had to go to the health/safety office and have blood drawn and give urine for a drug/etoh screen. i think this is generally standard operating procedure.

also, if you change insurance companies, you might have to get a piss test as well... though i am less sure about this.

free advice: now that you are about to become a grown-up, and have a grown-up job, you might consider that now is a great time to give up certain... recreational habits.

 

[pikachu]

Mount Sinai internal medicine tests, it is on their website.

free advice: now that you are about to become a grown-up, and have a grown-up job, you might consider that now is a great time to give up certain... recreational habits.

Does this also count for drinking alcohol?

 

[RADRULES]

Let me make is simple for you.... stop smoking dope about 3 months prior to starting your internship... simple. I think this is what this question is all about.

 

[MD'05]

Let me make is simple for you.... stop smoking dope about 3 months prior to starting your internship... simple. I think this is what this question is all about.

Buy a home drug testing kit to check your results each month prior to the real test. Also, don't eat any poppy seeds before the test.

 

[MAC10]

Everyone at my institution got tested coming in. If you were positive for anything then it was grounds for nullifying your contract. I know quite a few people who were *****ing it during orientation..but we are all stil around.

 

[Sheon]

I've heard that mandatory drug testing for all residents is in the pipeline. I've heard it could become a reality as soon as June. I want to say it was a residency director that told me this, but I could be mistaken.

 

[Winged Scapula]

We were told we could be tested at any time during residency, especially if rotating at a VA (government) hospital.

Better get it outta your system now, just in case.

I was interested to read the resident's post that stated he was tested every time he got a needle stick. I understand testing for HIV and Hep but why are they tox screening your urine and blood then? Do they think you got stuck because you were OUI (operating under the influence)?

 

[fumd]

Let me make is simple for you.... stop smoking dope about 3 months prior to starting your internship... simple. I think this is what this question is all about.

Sounds good to me. We'll party on Match Day, then become monks.

 

[Obedeli]

I heard at some programs they take hair samples for residual testing. 😱 😀

 

[fuegorama]

I was interested to read the resident's post that stated he was tested every time he got a needle stick. I understand testing for HIV and Hep but why are they tox screening your urine and blood then? Do they think you got stuck because you were OUI (operating under the influence)?

I believe this is a CYA for the institution. If you have a tox. (+) test, they could potentially squirrel out on some workman's comp./disability litigation.

During my nursing career I recall some risk management folks giving us this talk/threat.

 

[Apollyon]

Sounds good to me. We'll party on Match Day, then become monks.

If not using drugs of abuse that would be picked up on a urine drug screen is becoming a "monk" to you, maybe there is something there that might need some internal reflection.

 

[n_a_t]

don't eat any poppy seeds before the test.

what's wrong with poppy seeds? they can give a false positive for opiates?

 

[n_a_t]

ok, answered my own question:
http://www.mrinc.com/poppy.htm
http://www.erowid.org/plants/poppy/poppy_testing.shtml

 

[Winged Scapula]

what's wrong with poppy seeds? they can give a false positive for opiates?

You obviously haven't seen the "Seinfeld" episode where Elaine's daily am ritual poppy seed muffin gets her in trouble with a potential boss.

Tis true. Poppy seeds can show up as an opiate on your tox screen.

 

[teamdick]

received my residency contract over the weekend. mandatory drug testing and background check before july 1 and i have to sumbit to random physicals and drug testing

 

[GopherBrain]

"Random Physicals"?

 

[teamdick]

"to ensure that Resident is physically capable of performing essential duties"

 

[Bo Hurley]

received my residency contract over the weekend. mandatory drug testing and background check before july 1 and i have to sumbit to random physicals and drug testing

"Prepare to be assimilated."

 

[Purulent DC]

At my program we had a mandatory check up with Employee Health, primarily to make sure we were up to date with all immunizations prior to starting orientation, and this included a urine drug screen, which interestingly enough is a hidden record because it doesn't appear with other the lab tests that were drawn on the same day that appear when I bring up my computer lab data using my medical record number.

Also, in the event that you syncopize as a resident (e.g. post call) while working, your attending will likely order a UDS on you to make sure that there was not any foul play involved and to squash any rumors that may circulate afterward, esp. if you seemed altered in any way.

 

[fumd]

If not using drugs of abuse that would be picked up on a urine drug screen is becoming a "monk" to you, maybe there is something there that might need some internal reflection.

Relax babe. Monks (at least the Trappistes) still drink beer.