D.O.T. urine drug testing procedures from collection to completed results

It is important to understand the steps involved before the employer, receives test results on Department of Transportation mandated urine drug testing. The D.O.T. procedures actually require the coordinated efforts of three separate entities before the test results are received by the employer.

1. The certified collector obtains the specimen and follows D.O.T. procedures in maintaining the chain of custody. The specimen is packed and shipped to the D.O.T. certified laboratory.

2. The laboratory performs the "screen" drug test at D.O.T. mandated cutoff levels. If the screen test is not negative, the specimen goes through a second "confirmation" test using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS). Results are then forwarded to the Medical Reveiw Officer

3. The Medical Review Officer (MRO) reports a negative result immediately if the lab result is negative. If the lab result is positive, the MRO must contact the donor and discuss the results with him or her to determine if the donor is taking any prescribed medication that could produce the positive result, before releasing the results.

4. The MRO then releases the results to the employer or to the service agent that is performing the administration services for the employer.