Friday, April 26, 2013

Cost Effective Mobile Drug Testing

By Alyssa Riggs


With the economy the way it is, companies are trying to cut costs and prevent excessive downtime in the safest manner possible. Many industries require employees to submit to mandatory drug testing to prevent the use of illegal drugs, or the misuse of alcohol or legal prescription medication. Drug abuse often contributes to workplace accidents and frequent absenteeism by the users. With the use of mobile drug testing, problems can be identified and prevented before they take place or get out of hand.

Employees no longer have to leave work to travel to a drug screening facility. This will save hours of travel time and waiting to be tested. It is now possible for the technology involved to come to the workplace, no matter where it is located, or when it is open. This flexibility allows the company to control the details of when and where, as well as save money.

Employees will be able to continue working right up until the time of their individual test, and return right after completion. There is no chance of the workplace being held responsible for any accidents that may have happened during travel to and from a remote testing site. This means less time is taken from the work day and less money lost.

Test companies also save company staff time and money by coordinating and managing the entire specimen collection and testing process. They provide all the equipment, FDA-approved reagents and staff necessary for the collection process, and transport it all to your location, no matter how remote it may be. Many provide counseling or administer rehab programs for any employees who have positive results. Some even offer services for interpreting and keeping records of the results. Choose a company based on your needs and environment.

Most industries require urine collection for employee samples, however mobile facilities are usually capable of screening breath alcohol, hair and oral fluid as well. Urine collection for screening requires sterile conditions and preparation of the area before hand. Hiring mobile testers is easier on all involved since they are familiar with the protocols involved. The cost of these service depends on location and availability of proper site, or bringing one in, and the number of employees and the number of shifts they work and when.

Collectors are trained to ensure standard procedures are followed so that any adverse results are admissible should a court case arise. A third party involved keeps the chain of custody and ensures no tampering or errors by company employees. They are also responsible for all necessary paperwork and filling it out properly.

It is possible to request customized programs to suit specific industry requirements since standard procedures are closely followed. Select from screening for pre-employment, random tests, or reasonable suspicion to determine if an employee is ready to return to duty, as a follow-up to an incident, or post-accident if chance of exposure may have occurred.

No drugs in the workplace ensures a safer environment that is conducive to productivity. This means fewer worker compensation claims and fewer days of sick time taken. Bringing the testing service onsite is more convenient especially in remote areas. Mass hiring can be conducted quickly and all at once without waiting to schedule appointments. Mobile drug testing also helps alleviate stress and cost if any potential hazardous exposure occurs.




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