Bermuda Hospitals Board Drug Screening Programme Tiana Outerbridge, Employee Health Services Manager Dr. Cathryn Siddle, Employee Health Services Physician Angela Fraser-Pitcher, Human Resources Director
Bermuda Hospitals Board Drug Screening Programme This programme was established in 1997 as part of Bermuda Hospitals Board s commitment to provide a safe, healthy and productive work environment. It is administered by our Human Resources Department, comprising Employee Health Services and Employee Relations.
Benefits of a Drug-Free Workplace Increased patient safety Reduced absenteeism, lateness, sick leave and associated costs Reduced staff discipline problems Reduced worker s compensation costs Improved customer satisfaction Increased productivity Improved staff morale and motivation Improved community image Improved health and safety of staff
Human Resources Guiding Policies Hiring Policy Substance Abuse & Misuse Policy
Drug Screening Programme Implementation Support Body for the Substance Abuse & Misuse Policy- Joint Union Management Committee (JUMC) whose chief function is to ensure that the policy is adhered to by all parties and makes recommendations for changes. Representative(s): BHB Management, including the Employee Relations Manager Bermuda Industrial Union Bermuda Public Services Union Employee Health Services Physician Turning Point Physician
Application of Programme Testing presently conducted for: All BHB potential hires Any BHB employee (when warranted for suspicion) All physicians requesting hospital privileges All students Community organizations, including some government departments
Consent and Release from Liability Refusal to participate or positive test results are cause for: rejection of an application or offer of employment disciplinary action, up to and including termination
Responsibilities of Employee Health Services Confidentiality Specimen collection Chain of Custody Fit/Unfit clearance Employee Assistance Programme referrals/rehabilitation
Drug Screening Methods Multi-drug Urine Test Panel Psychemedics Corporation: Patented Hair Analysis Method
Multi-Drug Urine Test Panel Cost-effective Same day testing 95% to 100% Reliable Positive samples require confirmation by GC-MS method (Gold-standard) Detects drug usage from approximately one to seven days
Multi-Drug Urine Test Panel Five panel drug screen for: Amphetamine Benzodiazepine Cocaine Cannabinoids Morphine
Psychemedics Corporation Hair Analysis BHB only licensed body on island FDA Approved Largest company in USA for hair follicle testing Widely used in institutions from schools to police, banking and criminal justice systems Strong legal track record with support from lawyers and forensic toxicologists
Psychemedics Corporation Hair Analysis Illicit drugs are detectable up to 90 days from the time of abuse Utilizes a standard 1 ½ inch piece of scalp or body hair Test cannot be adulterated by hair treatment with bleach, dye, shampooing etc. Any test reported as a positive has tested positive both by mass spectrometry and by radio immune assay.
Psychemedics Corporation Hair Analysis Hair Analysis for: Cocaine Opiates Phencyclidine (PCP) Amphetamines Marijuana
Verification by the Medical Review Officer (MRO) The role of the MRO: Verify all test results Interprets positive results in conjunction with medical history review and client interview Determines whether result is consistent with legal drug use Determines fitness for duty
Drug Review Drugs which are currently illegal: Cocaine PCP Amphetamines Marijuana Heroin
Drug Review Most opiate drugs are legal but can be abused: Codeine Morphine Oxycontin Vicodin Dilaudid
In a Nutshell Pre-Employment testing Suspicion/For Cause testing Urine short term use Hair longer term use Verification by MRO
Contact Information Angela Fraser-Pitcher, Human Resources Director Dr. Cathryn Siddle, EHS Physician Tiana Outerbridge EHS Manager Angela.fraser-pitcher@bhb.bm Phone: 239-2236 Cathryn.siddle@bhb.bm Phone: 239-1529 Tiana.outerbridge@bhb.bm Phone: 239-6270