After a Positive DOT Drug Test - MRO Duties

After a positive DOT drug test, the MRO is required to contact the donor. But, what happens when a the MRO is unable to contact the donor to confirm the result?

All positive DOT drug test results are immediately sent to the Medical Review Officer (MRO) for confirmation. It is the role of the MRO to contact the donor by telephone to confirm that there is not a legitimate medical explanation for the positive test result.

The actions that the MRO takes are written into the regulations of 49CFR Part 40. Specifically, the MRO must make reasonable efforts to reach the employee at the day and evening telephone numbers listed on the CCF. Reasonable efforts include, as a minimum, three attempts, spaced reasonably over a 24-hour period, to reach the employee at the day and evening telephone numbers listed on the CCF. If the MRO or her staff cannot reach the employee directly after making these efforts, the MRO or her staff must take the following steps:
(1) Document the efforts you made to contact the employee, including dates and times.
(2) Contact the Designated Employer Representative, instructing the DER to contact the employee and instruct the employee to contact the MRO. If both phone numbers are incorrect (e.g., disconnected, wrong number), the MRO or her staff may contact the DER without waiting the full 24-hour period.

After the employer has been contacted and attempted to contact the employee, the MRO may verify the test result if the employer has reached the employee and instructed him or her to call the MRO, and 72 hours has passed. If neither the MRO nor the employer has been able to contact the employee, the MRO must wait 10 days before verifying the test.