WEB049-2023
Recorded on Jan 19, 2023 1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern
Random Drug Testing of Non-Safety Sensitive Healthcare Workers: Honestly?
By William G. Buchta, MD, MS, MPH, FACOEM
Member: $20
Non-Member: $35
Topic Overview:
For the past 30 years, drug testing in the workplace has proliferated. It has been used for multiple purposes, but the application of random testing of employees in non-safety sensitive positions, in particular, demands justification due to the real and potential costs and the possible harms it may cause. We will narrow the scope of this investigation, discuss what jobs in healthcare may or may not warrant the “safety sensitive” designation, differentiate the real outcomes from RDT from the surrogate outcomes, explore what the Drug Free Workplace Act does and does not include for interventions, look at the literature over the past 25 years, and explore possible alternative solutions with equal or better efficacy and less potential harm. Drug use is but one reason for workplace impairment, and we may need to take a broader perspective regarding the behaviors and medical conditions that threaten health, safety and performance at work.
Objectives:
1. Identify desired outcomes of random drug testing (RDT) and possible drawbacks 2. Understand the directives of the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 3. Survey the existing literature in the past 25 years 4. Explore alternative solutions to obtain desired outcomes
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Buchta began his career as an industrial psychologist in the US Air Force, which blossomed into a 30-year career as an occupational medicine physician, clinically focused and having expertise in occupational health for healthcare workers. He has held leadership positions in regional, national, and international organizations regarding occupational medicine and was President of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine from 2018-2019. He currently consults for large national and international clients but still has a passion for healthcare worker issues, particularly burnout and workplace violence.
Requirements for Completion
Successful completion of this activity includes submitting an accurate registration, making necessary payment, and reviewing all activity slides and the webinar presentation. Completion of the evaluation form is required.
Type of Activity: Knowledge
Disclosures: AOHP does not guarantee, warrant, certify, verify, and/or authorize the content of this seminar, and/or any subsequent use of the information presented at this webinar. This webinar is not a clinical/medical service but is intended for educational purposes only. Planners of this educational activity have no real or apparent financial, professional or personal conflict of interest to disclose. Faculty/presenter disclosure is stated following each presenter’s bio-sketch. AOHP has implemented a mechanism to identify and resolve all conflicts of interest before the delivery of this educational activity.
Commercial or Sponsor Support: N/A
Continuing education Contact Hour: This activity awards one (1) contact hour.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 17664.
Conflict of Interest: A conflict of interest occurs when an individual has an opportunity to affect educational content about healthcare products or services of a commercial company with which she/he has a financial, professional or personal relationship.
The planners and presenter(s)/author(s) of this education activity have disclosed no relevant financial, professional or personal relationships with any commercial companies about this activity.
Non-Endorsement of Products: The Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare's accredited provider status refers only to continuing education activities and does not imply that there is real or implied endorsement of any product, service or company referred to in this activity nor of any company subsidizing costs related to the activity.