The Role of the Medical Review Officer in Drug Testing

MRO stands for "Medical Review Officer." Many testing programs (and all Department of Transportation mandated testing programs) include an MRO, who reviews the drug test results from the laboratory before notifying the employer of the result.

The MRO can determine whether a positive drug test may be the result of a legally prescribed medication that an employee could be taking. MRO's are medical doctors who are trained in substance abuse and drug related issues. The MRO preserves the integrity of the testing process and protects the interests of BOTH the individual and the employer. Employers are not allowed by law to question their employees regarding medical history, but the MRO is.

The MRO contacts the donor and questions him about any medication that he might be taking. If the donor is taking medication that could have produced the positive result, he is asked to provide a copy of the prescription and other documentation.

The MRO is charged with making the decision of whether a drug test is positive or negative as a result of their investigation. The unique skills and information that they possess, insures that the correct result is provided to the employer. If an employee is taking medication that is legally prescribed, but still impairs the individual in the performance of their duties, the MRO will discuss this issue with the employer as well.