Drug screening has become an essential part of the employment screening process. More and more companies are performing this function than ever before.

Backgrounds USA will set up and manage a liaison relationship for you with a diagnostic testing company.  The cost for these services will be included in your Backgrounds USA invoicing, to simplify account management for your administration and financial departments. 

Many employers choose to run a basic 5-panel test, which tests for Amphetamines, opiates, Marijuana, cocaine and PCP.  Also available is a 10-panel test, which test for all of the 5-panel substances as well as Methamphetamines, Barbiturates, Methadone, Benzodiazepines, and TCA (Tricyclic Antidepressants). Also available is a 6-panel oral swab test which is administered by the applicant. This tests for all 5-panel substances as well as Ecstasy.  Also available is a test for the presence of adulterants.  If adulterants are used, they can return either a dilute specimen, false negative or inconclusive result.  All substance abuse specimens submitted to the diagnostic facility are initially tested using a screening technique called Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA).

Employers can choose to administer the tests themselves, using an instant urinalysis cup test, which will give immediate results.  Employers can also collect specimens and deliver them to a local collection center by hand or by Fed Ex.  Most employers choose to send applicants to a local collection center to perform testing.  Backgrounds USA can ensure that either the employer or the collection center is adequately stocked with specimen chain of custody forms, and will also ensure the collection center is provided with the proper procedures for your company, including contact names and phone numbers.

Ninety-five percent of negative results are returned within 24 hours.  The remaining negative and all positive results are returned within 72 hours.  Results can be mailed, faxed, or securely viewed online. The benefits of internet based results are that, 1) the data is never archived by the testing facility, and 2) the results are easily and securely accessed and can be printed only when required.  Fax based records are periodically archived by the testing facility and if results from a year ago need to be accessed there will be a charge for retrieval.

A Medical Review Officer (MRO) can be provided for those employers that wish or require it.  Many choose to utilize an MRO only for positive result retests, in order to reduce the risk of litigation.  The national rate of positive results is approximately 5%. Employers involved with the Department of Transportation require an MRO for all tests.  The MRO will contact the applicant to ascertain if there was a biomedical reason for the positive result.  If the MRO is satisfied with the reason and the proof provided by the applicant, the result will be certified negative.  If the applicant cannot provide an adequate reason for the positive result, the MRO would certify the result as positive. 

For more information on drug testing or to sign up for this service, please call us at (800) 315-7678 or email us at info@backgroundsusa.com