La. Admin. Code tit. 40 § I-1509

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-1509 - Reporting and Review of Results

A. An essential part of the drug testing program is the final review of results. A positive test result does not automatically identify an employee as a drug abuser. A Medical Review Officer (MRO) with a detailed knowledge of possible alternate medical explanations must be involved in the review process.

1.Medical Review Officer-a licensed physician responsible for receiving laboratory results generated by employer or testing entities' drug testing program who has knowledge of substance abuse disorders and has appropriate medical training to interpret and evaluate an individual's positive test result together with his medical history and any other relevant biomedical information. The role of the MRO is to review and interpret positive test results obtained through the office's testing program. In the conduct of this responsibility, the MRO should undertake the examination of alternate medical explanations for a positive test result. This action could include conducting of employee medical interviews, review of employee medical history, or the review of any other relevant biomedical factors.

2. The MRO is required to review all medical records made available by the tested employee when a confirmed positive test could have resulted from legally prescribed medication. After the MRO has reviewed the pertinent information and the laboratory assessment is verified, the results are to be forwarded to the employer and the Office of Workers' Compensation. Should any question arise as to the veracity of a positive test result, the MRO is authorized to order a reanalysis of the original sample. If the MRO determines there is a legitimate medical explanation for the positive test result, MRO may deem that the result is consistent with legal drug use, and take no further action.

La. Admin. Code tit. 40, § I-1509

Promulgated by the Department of Employment and Training, Office of Workers' Compensation, LR 16:854 (October 1990), repromulgated LR 17:776 (August 1991).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 23:1081(9).