Substance Abuse Testing

Occupational Health and Rehabilitation Services
520 West Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
Phone: 203-852-2417
Fax: 203-852-2310
Email: occhealth@norwalkhealth.org

www.occhealthnorwalk.org

Drug Testing Guide

Employee screening has become a mainstay of the qualification process for new employees, as well as on an ongoing basis for a number of regulated industries. In order to meet this industry need, Occupational Health Services provides high level, regulatory-compliant substance abuse testing serives to the busness community.

The need for performing to the highest internal quality standards cannot be understated. With individuals' employment status as well as a corporate clients' regulatory compliance on the line, it is essential to choose a substance abuse test provider who understands and performs to this level of excellence.

We employ several initial safeguards to ensure reliability of test results:

Urine Drug Test specimens are analyzed by a certified laboratory
Donors must follow a specific procedure designed to reduce opportunities for specimen tampering or adulteration.
Special internal collection and processing procedures are followed tp ensure specimen iintegrity
The Medical Review Officer is responsible for all review, verification, and reporting activities

Most commonly performed test panels:

Five Drug Panel (Federal DOT and DOT Equivilant)
• Amphetamines (Stimulant)
• Cocaine Metabolite
• Marijuana Metabolite
• Opiates (Narcotic painkiller)
• Phencyclidine (PCP, “Angel Dust”)

Ten Drug Panel (Not for Federal/DOT Use)
• Amphetamines stimulant)
• Barbituates (tranquilizer/sedative)
• Benzodiazepines (“Valium” class sedative)
• Cocaine Metabolite
• Marijuana Metabolite
• Methadone (synthetic opiate)
• Methaqualone (sedative)
• Opiates
• Phencyclidine (PCP, “Angel Dust”)
• Propoxyphene (“Darvon”)

Instant Screening is also available following the five panel contents above.

Breath Alcohol Testing

Breath alcohol testing is performed to meet specific test standards as defined by the Federal Department of Transportation. Testing is required of holders of CDL's (Commercial Drivers Licenses), depending upon the nature and size of the vehicle which they operate. (regulations follow those as for drug testing).

• The alcohol screening equipment in use must meet specifications as defined by DOT.

• Testing must be performed by qualified personnel, those who have passed a Breath Alcohol Technician certification course.

• Strict standards for machine calibration and confirmation testing apply.

Breath alcohol testing has been found to be equivilant to blood alcohol testing, and has been adopted by DOT since a breath test does not require an invasive procedure such as a blood draw and; results are immediately available.

DOT requires (where applicable) that breath alcohol testing be performed on a random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and return to duty basis.

For non-DOT purposes, a breath alcohol test (with patient consent), can determine if an employee has alcohol within their body. Thus, a physician can make a factual determination in instances where an employee is referred for testing by their supervisor.

Intoximeter Breath Alcohol Analyzer

Remember, substance abuse testing is too important an undertaking to trust to a generalist program. Trust the experts at Norwalk Hospital Occupational Health and Rehabilitation Services to manage your drug testing program needs, from specimen collection, testing, results verification, and program administration.