Feds Expand Pool of Mandatory Drug Tests for Government Workers

Urgent care operators who offer occupational medicine services should be aware that new guidelines for federal workplaces include mandatory screening for four relatively common opioid pain medications. As of October 1, employee drug tests must include screens for oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) says this will mainly affect some 400,000 federal employees with public health, public safety, and national security responsibilities. Positive results that are not attributed to a legitimate prescription are to be reported to the worker’s federal agency. More details are available on SAMHSA’s Drug-Free Workplace Guidelines and Resources page.