Drug testing in residency

[doc baller]

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I know there is going to be drug testing before starting residency but are there any random drug tests afterward? I am currently on something(completely legal) but I don't want anyone to know.

 

[link2swim06]

I am assuming it is ADHD medication.

Legally the program cannot discriminate against you for taking it. Also realize it is probably employee health or a separate department that is actually testing you. But if you don't take it for 7-10 days beforehand and you will test negative for it (only takes a few days to clear). I doubt anyone is going to retest you unless they suspect you are on drugs. The key is that you always have a valid prescription so if you get re-tested you will be ok.

 

[Raryn]

I know there is going to be drug testing before starting residency but are there any random drug tests afterward? I am currently on something(completely legal) but I don't want anyone to know.

Depends on the residency. For example, while the program reserves the right to test us at any time, none of the residents at my program have ever been tested. Before starting, during the program, never.

 

[organdonor]

We get random drug tests here. Be sure you've got a prescription for any controlled substances. We've been informed that there will be no mercy for a positive drug test following taking some leftover vicodins or such.

 

[killerleaf]

Also be aware that if you are involved in any kind of accident while at work, such as a needle stick, or you trip and fall, blood is drawn and is tested. If you pop positive and do not have a prescription, you are toast. Done, and done.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

Also be aware that if you are involved in any kind of accident while at work, such as a needle stick, or you trip and fall, blood is drawn and is tested. If you pop positive and do not have a prescription, you are toast. Done, and done.

Huh?

If you have to get your blood drawn for an occupational exposure - they draw your blood and run HIV/HCV tests. They don't just randomly throw in a drug screening.

 

[Follow the Cairns]

My spouse is 7 years removed from his residency, but he has never been drug tested at any point in his career- not residency, private practice or in his current Academic position. Never.

That said, you never can tell and you have to always be prepared for the potential that you will be tested, so as others have said, make sure you have valid prescriptions and never use anything illegal or illicit.

Of course, if that Prop in CA passes, I guess the docs there better be prepared all the time 🙄

 

[killerleaf]

At our instituion, yes, they run the drug screen as well as the HIV/HCV. It was explained that they want to make sure you were not "impaired" at the time of the accident.

 

[mvenus929]

We got tested in order to start residency, and I think they continue testing once a year, which I think is stupid, but whatever. As long as you had an Rx for a drug that would make the test positive, it wasn't a big deal, you just had to bring the medications with you at the time of the drug test itself. It was also run in front of us, so we knew the preliminary results right away.

 

[dozitgetchahi]

Never been tested, although I'm sure there's a clause in the residency contract allowing for it.

Around here they only test for HIV/HCV/HBV if you get needlestuck. However, I have a relative that works at a hospital where they will apparently reserve the right to drug test every provider, nurse, and so on of there's a 'negative patient outcome'. They do it too.

 

[deleted480308]

Huh?

If you have to get your blood drawn for an occupational exposure - they draw your blood and run HIV/HCV tests. They don't just randomly throw in a drug screening.

it's a standard workers comp practice

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

it's a standard workers comp practice

Not at the two institutions where I've had my blood drawn for occupational exposures

 

[Beargryllz]

Supposing you do trip some drug test you'll probably get a call from the pathologist supervises the lab and he'll ask if you're on any medications. Then you'll disclose it and that is pretty much the end of it. The "program" wouldn't ever be privy to this information.

 

[Arcan57]

Not at the two institutions where I've had my blood drawn for occupational exposures

In non healthcare fields, drug testing following an accident (regardless of circumstances) is de rigor. It's not nearly as common for healthcare. Linking the two seems like it would create a disincentive to report needle sticks which is not the best thing from a public health policy. That being said, the hospital reserved the right to test at any time and we had several providers that were tested after patients complained that they seemed impaired (typically end of night shift residents that were dealing with pissed off drug seekers).