Hair Drug Testing

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Hello all,

MS4 here who wants to ask about drug testing during the start of residency. I've scoured SDN and other threads, but they're either inconclusive or turn into a debate about why marijuana is good/bad. I wanted to start this thread so that other future students and I will have this as a resource. Please do not side track this to a moral, ethical, or legalization debate. Also I've already quit and so have many of my classmates, but collectively we have been wondering.

So with that I wanted to ask for those who have first hand experience what their transition to residency was like in regards to drug testing.

1.) Was it a saliva, urine, or hair test?
2.) When did you have to do it? (right before orientation in June, in April/May while you were still finishing out medical school, or other) And if it was while you were still in medical school, did you have to travel to your future residency or did they pay for you to go somewhere near you?
3.) Optional-but maybe what region of the country your residency is in and what type of hospital (Northwest, Northeast, Community, Large academic, etc.)

Also for the person that's bound to ask, yes even in states with legalized marijuana they tell you at their interviews they test, but do not mention if it's saliva, urine, or hair.

Thank you very much for your help, from all the students at my school and the future applicants who will undoubtedly google this question and wonder like I have.
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My test was urine, and I had to get it done sometime before orientation. I moved out to my new locale about 2 weeks before orientation started, so I got it done sometime during those 2 weeks. They wouldn't release my HR paperwork without it. I got it done in occupational health at the job site. They tested it right in the center, and if anything on the dip was abnormal, they sent for confirmatory testing.
 
I've been tested as a medical student, as a fellow, and as a (moonlighting) attending. Each time was urine. I've never heard of anyone in any medical setting requiring hair or nail for an initial screen.

When I got tested as a fellow, it was at our health fair in late June, a few days before orientation started. It had to be done locally. Could have been done anytime in the month or so before I started though.

As for advice, it's simple. The match is in March and you won't start till June. Even if you are an ultra heavy, multiple times daily smoker, it will be out of your system within those 3 months. If you don't want to stop now, stop after the match.

Assuming you're a responsible person and pass the screen, you'll theoretically be fine thereafter. I've never heard of random drug testing of residents after they start. That said... If you ever have even the appearance of impairment in a professional or legal setting (including while driving and such), they have the right to select you for testing. If you then fail, even if you weren't acutely impaired? You're screwed. Royally. Small chance of that happening, but it's a very real possibility.
 
Raryn said:
Assuming you're a responsible person and pass the screen, you'll theoretically be fine thereafter. I've never heard of random drug testing of residents after they start. That said... If you ever have even the appearance of impairment in a professional or legal setting (including while driving and such), they have the right to select you for testing. If you then fail, even if you weren't acutely impaired? You're screwed. Royally. Small chance of that happening, but it's a very real possibility.
Click to expand...

I will add that my contract says that they can test me any time they want, but I've never actually been asked to submit a specimen since the one before orientation 2.5 years ago.
 
I think urine is the standard. Hair is supposedly more sensitive for long term use, but there are some controversies to it's use. I can't imagine a place requiring a drug screen prior to orientation, unless they told you to bring one from an outside facility to orientation or something like that. I also believe practically every program will say somewhere in your contract that you may be subject to random or future tests, and this is probably more often in case you have some scenario where there is a big mistake or your superior thinks you were high or something.

All these are generalities. There are hospitals out there that test people for nicotine and crap like that, so I wouldn't put it past some hospital administrator at some random hospital to be avid about random drug tests for all their residents.
 
mvenus929 said:
I will add that my contract says that they can test me any time they want, but I've never actually been asked to submit a specimen since the one before orientation 2.5 years ago.
Click to expand...

Yes it's in mine as well, but from word of mouth it seems a drug test is only triggered by bizarre or strange behavior. And you have to turn it in once asked within 24 hours.
 
I don't get this thread. Ultimately, what's more important to you? Your residency and career, or smoking pot? Seems like a no-brainer to me.
 
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Raryn said:
I've been tested as a medical student, as a fellow, and as a (moonlighting) attending. Each time was urine. I've never heard of anyone in any medical setting requiring hair or nail for an initial screen.
Click to expand...

I did a urine sample.

My boyfriend, however, started his prelim year by providing a large sample of hair for the drug test. Since he has very short hair on his head, they shaved his armpit. True story. [This was in Wisconsin, in case anyone was wondering.]
 
AdmiralChz said:
Yes it's in mine as well, but from word of mouth it seems a drug test is only triggered by bizarre or strange behavior. And you have to turn it in once asked within 24 hours.
Click to expand...

At my current job, as an attending, any and all workman comp claims MUST have a recent urine drug test, within 24 hours of the incident, in order to be processed. I.e. if you slip and fall, or if you get a needlestick, you need a drug test.

Just something to consider.
 
Thank you all. That's very helpful. I guess there have been rumors around the class of some residencies which would pay for you/reimburse to go to local designated sites for physicals and drug testing prior to June. Also there have always been rumors about hair testing, but it's always from someone who knows someone that knows someone....
 
smq123 said:
I did a urine sample.

My boyfriend, however, started his prelim year by providing a large sample of hair for the drug test. Since he has very short hair on his head, they shaved his armpit. True story. [This was in Wisconsin, in case anyone was wondering.]
Click to expand...

Do you know if anyone in his class failed and if that resulted in termination? Also how far in advance did he know that a hair test was coming? Was it in June? I've heard hair is good for 90 days but body hair for up to a year. Thanks for sharing!
 
Donald Juan said:
I can't imagine a place requiring a drug screen prior to orientation
Click to expand...

Start imagining. Our HR requires a drug test within 1-2 weeks of accepting an offer of employment. Since the match = offer, the match triggers our policy. Our HR uses a national lab, so you can go locally to be tested. Failure to be tested in the window results in rescinding the offer, unless you have a very good excuse.
 
npappasan said:
I don't get this thread. Ultimately, what's more important to you? Your residency and career, or smoking pot? Seems like a no-brainer to me.
Click to expand...

My intention in this thread was not "when can I quit in the future to be safe" but more I've stopped already, is hair testing possible/the norm and am I screwed already for smoking regularly previously.
 
Hall.mark said:
Do you know if anyone in his class failed and if that resulted in termination? Also how far in advance did he know that a hair test was coming? Was it in June? I've heard hair is good for 90 days but body hair for up to a year. Thanks for sharing!
Click to expand...

I don't think that any one in his class failed the drug test.

Keep in mind that my boyfriend is now an attending himself, so this was several years ago, but I think that he had to do the test in late April or in May. He did not know that the hair test was coming; this was a big surprise to him, although he wasn't worried.

He did tell me that the lab was very aggressive about getting the hair sample - it had to be a good sized chunk of hair (about 40-50 hairs, I think?) and the sample has to be over an inch long. It was not a problem for most of the girls, who tend to have longer hair. But for the guys, who had very short hair on their heads, they had samples taken from their armpits. If they didn't have hair in their armpits, for whatever reason, the lab would take it from their pubes.

There was a rumor that an incoming intern was a heavy pot smoker. He had done rotations through that hospital and had heard of the required hair test for drugs. He purposely shaved EVERYWHERE (including his underarms and pubic area) the night before the test.
 
Hall.mark said:
My intention in this thread was not "when can I quit in the future to be safe" but more I've stopped already, is hair testing possible/the norm and am I screwed already for smoking regularly previously.
Click to expand...

If you quit now, and plan on starting internship this June, you should be fine.
 
aProgDirector said:
Start imagining. Our HR requires a drug test within 1-2 weeks of accepting an offer of employment. Since the match = offer, the match triggers our policy. Our HR uses a national lab, so you can go locally to be tested. Failure to be tested in the window results in rescinding the offer, unless you have a very good excuse.
Click to expand...

Thank you. Is this a urine test or hair test?
 
Has anyone else been hair tested or tested 1-2 weeks within the match?
 
Haha. I'm a female and like I said have already quit, but judging from what I've read the only thing that is to be worried about then is someone hair testing 1-2 weeks within match (60ish days) so I just wanted that piece of info. Sorry, I know I shouldn't have smoked but it's a big deal and of course is making me anxious.

I just want to relax knowing that a hair test 1-2 weeks after match is not at all likely.
 
aProgDirector said:
Start imagining. Our HR requires a drug test within 1-2 weeks of accepting an offer of employment. Since the match = offer, the match triggers our policy. Our HR uses a national lab, so you can go locally to be tested. Failure to be tested in the window results in rescinding the offer, unless you have a very good excuse.
Click to expand...
I'll take back what I said about not knowing of any programs that require it before June. Med students should be well advised to keep that in mind.

That said, I hope that for both for your programs and your matched applicants sakes, you give them a heads up about this requirement somehow before the rank deadline. Put it in some kind of laundry list email or just tell people "in case they were planning on doing international travel in late March". Springing it on matched students seems like a good way to risk ending up with an empty spot in your incoming intern class.
 
Raryn said:
I'll take back what I said about not knowing of any programs that require it before June. Med students should be well advised to keep that in mind.

That said, I hope that for both for your programs and your matched applicants sakes, you give them a heads up about this requirement somehow before the rank deadline. Put it in some kind of laundry list email or just tell people "in case they were planning on doing international travel in late March". Springing it on matched students seems like a good way to risk ending up with an empty spot in your incoming intern class.
Click to expand...

I definitely agree. Do you guys let people know way before hand?

Also thanks Raryn. Your advice was very helpful
 
Hall.mark said:
Haha. I'm a female and like I said have already quit, but judging from what I've read the only thing that is to be worried about then is someone hair testing 1-2 weeks within match (60ish days) so I just wanted that piece of info. Sorry, I know I shouldn't have smoked but it's a big deal and of course is making me anxious.

I just want to relax knowing that a hair test 1-2 weeks after match is not at all likely.
Click to expand...
cut your hair and wax you should be fine....and yeah, stop using.
 
21.ashx

#cost/benefit
 
So what will the program do with this guy???


smq123 said:
There was a rumor that an incoming intern was a heavy pot smoker. He had done rotations through that hospital and had heard of the required hair test for drugs. He purposely shaved EVERYWHERE (including his underarms and pubic area) the night before the test.
Click to expand...
 
I'm not sure a program would be too happy with you not having eyebrows. Also as a female it would be hard to explain how I went from my long hair at the interview to bald haha
 
If a patient complains you seemed off during their interaction with you - automatic drug test. This is a fine reason to figure out what your future looks like without using weed, especially using enough that you're worried about a test months in the future. If it's purely a recreational thing, you'll go without doing lots of other fun things during residency also. If you're self-treating a mild-moderate psychiatric condition, now would be the time to start figuring out what your (legal) pharmalogic regimen is going to be so you're not having to titrate or go through washout periods during the strain of residency.
 
Goro said:
So what will the program do with this guy???
Click to expand...

I think that they made him do a urine test, and then come back later when his hair grew back for a hair test.

Hall.mark said:
I'm not sure a program would be too happy with you not having eyebrows. Also as a female it would be hard to explain how I went from my long hair at the interview to bald haha
Click to expand...

I sincerely hope that your eyebrows are not long enough to drug test. Hair has to be about 1/2 inch to an inch long to be tested, I think.
 
ThoracicGuy said:
Chemo?

But seriously, now's your chance to quit for good.
Click to expand...
Arcan57 said:
If a patient complains you seemed off during their interaction with you - automatic drug test. This is a fine reason to figure out what your future looks like without using weed, especially using enough that you're worried about a test months in the future. If it's purely a recreational thing, you'll go without doing lots of other fun things during residency also. If you're self-treating a mild-moderate psychiatric condition, now would be the time to start figuring out what your (legal) pharmalogic regimen is going to be so you're not having to titrate or go through washout periods during the strain of residency.
Click to expand...

Yes I've already quit. I'm just worried about the prospects of a hair follicle test, as I've read it can detect up to 90 days time which would include up to about mid April now. Also thanks, I've already been meeting with my pcp and psych for anxiety. I've already made the changes, I'm just afraid for a hair follicle test close to match which seems unlikely from what I've seen here.

I just wanted to see if more people have had to do hair follicle testing for residency....so far only one person has experience but has anyone else had to get one? And if so when in the process?
 
smq123 said:
I think that they made him do a urine test, and then come back later when his hair grew back for a hair test.



I sincerely hope that your eyebrows are not long enough to drug test. Hair has to be about 1/2 inch to an inch long to be tested, I think.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I did not know that
 
in all seriousness, i think almost every program has you complete a urine test, which can be done at any local center. It was a while ago, but as I recall it was a similar place to a Quest lab.
 
Our program does not test, but likely will sometime in the future.

What is happening, nationally, is that the VA is going to test. So, if your residency involves a VA, your contract will have (going forward), a clause about being subject to random testing. I've spoken at length with our local VA about how they are going to implement this (July 2017) and what the consequences of a failed test are (unclear).
 
Hall.mark said:
Yes I've already quit. I'm just worried about the prospects of a hair follicle test, as I've read it can detect up to 90 days time which would include up to about mid April now. Also thanks, I've already been meeting with my pcp and psych for anxiety. I've already made the changes, I'm just afraid for a hair follicle test close to match which seems unlikely from what I've seen here.

I just wanted to see if more people have had to do hair follicle testing for residency....so far only one person has experience but has anyone else had to get one? And if so when in the process?
Click to expand...

I had one and I know of 1 other program that does the hair test. I'm at a community hospital and my acquaintance/friend is at a university program. happened fairly soon after the match


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
 
IMPD said:
Our program does not test, but likely will sometime in the future.

What is happening, nationally, is that the VA is going to test. So, if your residency involves a VA, your contract will have (going forward), a clause about being subject to random testing. I've spoken at length with our local VA about how they are going to implement this (July 2017) and what the consequences of a failed test are (unclear).
Click to expand...

Was this a urine test they are suggesting?
 
The place I work does a pre-employment urine screen. It has to be done at a particular lab locally that they contract with. There is also random urine drug screening. This can and has been applied to residents and attendings.
 
ProfMD said:
The place I work does a pre-employment urine screen. It has to be done at a particular lab locally that they contract with. There is also random urine drug screening. This can and has been applied to residents and attendings.
Click to expand...

Thank you, that's very helpful. Do you know when in the match process for incoming residents that it's conducted? (Close to match in march or just during orientation in late may/June) Thanks again, I appreciate your input.
 
Bonferroni Correction said:
in all seriousness, i think almost every program has you complete a urine test, which can be done at any local center. It was a while ago, but as I recall it was a similar place to a Quest lab.
Click to expand...

Do you remember if it was closer to match or orientation?
 
hamstergang said:
How is this helpful for you at this point? That is, what are you going to do differently now that you have these or other answers?
Click to expand...

1. That it's a urine test, so again reassuring that less places do hair test
2. That it has to be done locally, so it probably won't be as close to match

Lastly, I was thanking him or her for providing their input. I've already quit, but someone took the time to respond to me and give me information. I'm not sure what you were looking for here. I am asking not only for me but for those who are probably reading this thread (at least 15+ classmates) or who will come up on this thread from a google search.
 
I'm in Louisiana. We require our incoming interns to take their drug test sometime in April. It's a urine test and it can be done at any Labcorp in the country.
 
Yeah OP we can definitely tell you just quit.. lol
 
Never have done a single drug test during medical training. Educational pedigree visible in my signature--all Upper Midwest.

Is that reasonable, given that my specialty has a nearly five-fold greater chance than the average resident to die of a drug overdose? Probably not. But that's the truth!
 
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