Drug Testing, for discussion

[caligas]

Not based on a real situation, just something we were chatting about in the OR:

what would you do if your hospital said that they are going to drug test you as an employee or member of the medical staff and you are totally clean? Assume it’s random screening or whatever.

how would your response change if you occasionally used a prescribed controlled substance?

How would it change if you occasionally used THC?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[abolt18]

Not based on a real situation, just something we were chatting about in the OR:

what would you do if your hospital said that they are going to drug test you as an employee or member of the medical staff and you are totally clean?

how would your response change if you occasionally used a prescribed controlled substance?

How would it change if you occasionally used THC?

Wouldn't care in the first 2 circumstances. Clearly I'd have concerns if I were in the last situation.

In my case, I signed a contract agreeing to random drug screening at the start of residency. My employer has the right to do that at will. If I'm doing things that would get me in trouble and put my employment in jeopardy... Well, that's on me.

 

[jwk]

Our national employer already does random drug tests on all anesthesia folks. If anything turns up positive we can explain it (assuming we have a prescription of course). Marijuana is illegal at the federal level, so is unacceptable, regardless of state laws.

 

[Beeftenderloin]

I’ll be very curious to see how employers respond if/when cannabis becomes legalized at the federal level.

 

[Beach bum]

Not based on a real situation, just something we were chatting about in the OR:

what would you do if your hospital said that they are going to drug test you as an employee or member of the medical staff and you are totally clean? Assume it’s random screening or whatever.

how would your response change if you occasionally used a prescribed controlled substance?

How would it change if you occasionally used THC?

Asking for a “friend”?

 

[Hoya11]

Interesting topic but I dont think this is a safe place to actually truthfully discuss it

 

[pgg]

I've been getting randomly drug tested for 25+ years. Both military and civilian employers. Also the VA. I'm pretty sure my fellowship institution did also prior to starting. I'm OK with it - it's a reasonable thing for employers to require of doctors, nurses, pilots, police, nuclear missile launch code holders, etc.

I favor legalization of all drugs (ALL drugs) but support any employer's decision to prohibit on-duty use or intoxication, and to have policies for testing to enforce that prohibition. For drugs that can't be POC tested for acute intoxication (like THC) I'm OK with that prohibition amounting to an effective ban of use off duty too.

 

[teacher2md]

Agree with the above. But I also think any hospital system that will test for things like THC due to (very mild) cognitive performance declines should also prohibit 24- shifts and do strict sleep tracking like other industries (trucking, etc).

But of course it’s not really about that.

 

[Guillemot]

I've known anesthesiologists that have died from drug abuse and comorbid psychiatric conditions. Everyone just looked the other way until it was too late. Random drug screens and more accountability for bizarre behavior might have changed things. Not really what you were asking. Just felt like chiming in.