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A protocol to evaluate drug-related workplace impairment
Gary M Reisfield1, Theodore Shults, Jason Demery
1Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA. garyr@ufl.edu
Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy
|March 27, 2013
Summary
Employers face rising concerns about workplace impairment due to increased use of prescription drugs and cannabis. A new protocol suggests comprehensive testing and physician evaluation to address drug-related incidents effectively.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Forensic Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Rising use of prescription controlled substances, cannabis, and psychotropic drugs poses workplace impairment risks.
- Current federal drug testing programs are limited, failing to address a broad spectrum of impairing substances.
- Employer concerns regarding workplace incidents and accidents linked to substance use are escalating.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose an optimized protocol for evaluating workplace impairment.
- To address the limitations of existing drug testing programs.
- To enhance the detection and management of drug-related impairment in the workplace.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive drug and alcohol testing upon suspected impairment.
- Expeditious physician evaluation including medical history and physical/mental status examination.
- Assessment of employee adherence to prescription medication, additional testing, and use of prescription monitoring databases.
Main Results:
- The proposed protocol offers a more thorough approach to identifying workplace impairment.
- Integration of medical evaluation and prescription monitoring enhances accuracy.
- Addresses a wider range of substances than traditional testing methods.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive evaluation protocol is crucial for managing drug-related workplace impairment.
- Physician involvement and prescription monitoring are key components for effective assessment.
- Optimized strategies are needed to mitigate risks associated with diverse substance use in the workplace.
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