All American Research

FAQ

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Q: What is used as the address for the collection site?

A: The collection site address should reflect the location where the collection takes place. If the collection takes place at a clinic, the actual address of that clinic should be used: not a corporate or a “main office” address of the clinic/collection company. If the collection takes place on-site at the employer’s place of business (e.g., a bus terminal, a rail yard), the actual address of the employer site should be used. If the collection takes place in a “mobile unit” or takes place at an accident site, the collector should enter the actual location address of the collection (or as near an approximation as possible, under the circumstances). The required collector telephone number should be the number at which it is most likely that the laboratory, MRO, or employer, if necessary, may contact the collector and the collector’s supervisor. Pre-printing certain information onto the CCF is problematic if the information is subject to change.

Q: Is it a "refusal to test" if a person refuses to remove outer garments or empty pockets? Wash hands?

A: Yes and No. §40.191 (a) (8) fail to cooperate with any part of the testing process (e.g. refuse to empty pockets when so directed by the collector, behave in a confrontational way that disrupts the collection process.) Refusing to wash hands, however, is not a refusal. The DOT has indicated that if the donor refuses to wash his/her hands, the collector should note this in the remarks line and continue with the collection.

Q: Why can a DOT specimen not be used for a non-DOT test?

A: A DOT specimen is REQUIRED to be collected by federal mandate. This is not the case for non-DOT tests; therefore, the DOT collected specimen cannot be used for non-DOT tests.

Q: What would be some examples of "an attempt to tamper" by a donor?

A: Adding an adulterant to the specimen, adding water from the toilet to the specimen, applying a substance to heat a cold specimen, etc.

Q: If in a "shy bladder" situation, the "3 hour" period goes past the closing time of collection facility. Does the collector have to stay?

A: Yes.

Q: What if a donor or collector accidentally spills a specimen & the donor will not attempt to give another specimen?

A: In the unfortunate event that the collector spills the donor’s specimen, the collector should apologize to the donor, make a note in the “Remarks” section of the CCF, supply the donor with a new sealed collection container, unseal the container in front of the donor and request that the donor provide another sample. If the donor is unable to provide another sample at that time, proceed with “shy bladder” procedures. If the donor refuses to provide another specimen, this is a refusal per §40.191 (a) (2) fail to remain at the collection sire until the testing process is complete.

Q: What happens if collector uses a non-federal form for a DOT-test as it was the only form she/he had?

A: If the problem is the use of a non-Federal form or an expired Federal form in a DOT collection, the collector must provide a signed statement (i.e. a memorandum for the record). It must state that the incorrect form contains all the information needed for a valid DOT drug test, and that the incorrect form was used inadvertently or as the only means of conducting a test, in circumstances beyond the collector’s control. The statement must also list the steps taken to prevent future use of non-Federal forms or expired Federal forms for DOT tests. For this flaw to be corrected, the test of the specimen must have occurred at a HHS-certified laboratory where it was tested consistent with the requirements of this part.

Q: What are the differences between 49 CFR Part 40 & DHHS mandatory guidelines?

A: Part 40 regulations mandate the process for testing of safety sensitive transportation employees. HHS guidelines govern the testing of federal employees. The DOT regulations incorporate parts of the HHS guidelines to include cutoff levels, etc.

Q: Who can monitor mock collections?

A: A monitor must be either the same gender as the donor or a licensed medical professional.

Q: Do you send the specimen to the lab if the signatures don't appear to match (signature ID is unconfirmed) for an owner operator?

A: Yes, however, mark in the remarks line that the signatures do not appear to match.

Q: What is considered secure storage?

A: Secure storage must have restricted access, or better yet, a lock that can only be opened by certain people. You must be able to account for everyone that has access to the storage area.

Q: Is it required by DOT to have the DER's name on the CCF under employer name, etc.?

A: §40.35 requires the employer to provide the collector with the name and fax number of the DER, however, §40.45 does not require that this be included on the CCF.

Q: My doctor told me that a Vicks Inhaler can cause a positive drug test. Is this true?

A: One specific type of the Vicks Inhaler can cause an initial positive result. However, a properly reviewed result will result in an additional test called a d & l fractionation. The results of this additional test reveal to the Medical Review Officer an accurate indication of whether the result was caused by the use of this particular over-the-counter product. All positive results reported by All American Research have been reviewed and confirmed by one of our certified Medical Review Officers (MRO's).

Q: One of my human resources employees brought me an article posted on the internet that listed the following products as effective in protecting drug abusers from testing positive: Clear Choice Herbal Detox Tea, Quick Tabs, Naturally Klean Herbal Tea, Test Pure, Test Clean, Ready-Clean, THC terminator drink, Detoxify Carbo Clean, and Quick Flush Capsules and Tea. Do these products really work?

A: None of these products interfere with assays, but because they are taken with large quantities of water, the urine may be somewhat diluted.

Q: A friend of mine said she tested positive for marijuana but had only been around others that had smoked it. Is this possible?

A: Several studies indicate that a positive test result for marijuana conducted at a 50 ng/ml (or higher) cutoff level via immuno-assay screening and confirmed by gc/ms confirmation is highly unlikely to be caused by passive inhalation alone.

Q: I severely sprained my ankle and took a few of my husbands Tylenol 3 tablets with codeine to alleviate the pain. Is it true that I might test positive for drugs?

A: Codeine is an opiate metabolite and sufficient ingestion may cause a positive test for opiates. Under most circumstances, it is considered illicit use of drugs to ingest prescription medications originally prescribed for another individual.

Q: My sister says that there are almost 100 legitimate prescription drugs that can cause a positive drug test. Is this true?

A: There are more than 100 prescription medications that can cause an initial positive drug result. Therefore, it is essential that all drug-screening programs include the services of a qualified Medical Review Officer to confirm the legitimate use of prescription drugs and to protect the individual rights of the donor. All positive results reported by All American Research have been reviewed and confirmed by one of our certified Medical Review Officers (MRO's).

Q: I read that ibuprofen can cause a positive test for marijuana. Is this right?

A: At one time there were concerns that ibuprofen may, in some cases, cause a "false positive" test result for marijuana. The issue of cross-reactivity between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and marijuana is generally resolved in the scientific community.

Q: I smoke marijuana once or twice a day. A friend told me that if I stopped smoking today I might still test positive two weeks from now. Is this true?

A: Marijuana metabolites are stored in the body's fat cells. "Chronic" users may test positive for several weeks after stopping use of marijuana. "Casual" users may test positive for one to three days from the day of last use.

Q: Our company is thinking of testing for alcohol along with drugs. Can we have the laboratory test urine for both drugs and alcohol?

A: Yes, many laboratories have the ability to test for quantities of alcohol in urine. However, alcohol levels in urine are not reliable indicators of intoxication or even consumption. Therefore, All American Research does not recommend testing for alcohol in the urine.

Q: One of my friends told me she had to give a hair sample for a pre-employment drug test. Can a laboratory really test hair for drugs?

A: For more information contact All American Research contact us at 972-929-8040.

Q: We were talking at lunch the other day and the question came up about our drug-testing program. What prevents someone from bringing another persons urine to a collection facility in order to pass a test?

A: Outside of directly observed collections, there is no way to assure that specimens are absolutely that of the person acting as the donor. However several steps are routinely taken at collection facilities to significantly reduce the chance of this happening. All American Research directs all our collection facilities to monitor the temperature of the specimens to assure that the temperature of each specimen falls within the strict temperature ranges consistent with freshly discharged human urine.

Q: I have heard that consuming lots of poppy seeds can cause a positive test for heroin. Is this true? I eat a poppyseed muffin everyday for breakfast, is it true that I might test positive for opiates?

A: Poppy seeds contain sufficient amounts of morphine to produce detectable concentrations of morphine and codeine in urine. But a test may be considered a positive for heroin, both legally and scientifically only if heroin, or its metabolite momoacetylmorphine (6-mam), is identified in the urine specimen. This result cannot be caused by consuming poppy seeds. This determination can only be made by a Medical Review Officer pursuant to an analysis by gc/ms for 6-mam or heroin. All positive results reported by All American Research have been reviewed and confirmed by one of our certified Medical Review Officers (MRO's).

DISCLAIMER

The above information is intended to provide All American Research clients with All American Research's understanding of some of the commonly asked questions relating to substance abuse testing. Laws and regulations relating to substance abuse testing are subject to change. This information is not to be construed as legal or medical advice or opinion. All American Research clients are advised to consult with legal counsel in the implementation of all aspects of their substance abuse programs.