2025 Medical Review Officer Online Course with Live Discussion (Includes Digital Syllabus)-Tab 10

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This extensive presentation explores the roles and responsibilities of Medical Review Officers (MROs) in workplace drug testing programs, focusing on federal guidelines and practical issues faced during medical review. MROs act as gatekeepers, reviewing laboratory results—including negatives, positives, adulterated, substituted, invalid, and dilute specimens—and conducting interviews with donors to validate test findings. The process includes reviewing custody and control forms for errors, contacting donors for non-negative results, investigating alternative medical explanations, and reporting results while managing confidentiality and compliance with regulations.<br /><br />Key points include the handling of errors (correctable vs. uncorrectable), the importance of documentation, and procedures around donor contact attempts and interviews. The presentation highlights that MROs must ensure thorough review without making medical judgments beyond the drug test results, avoiding perceiving interviews as criminal investigations or substance use disorder assessments. Special attention is given to dealing with prescription verification, challenges with forged prescriptions, and considerations for substances like marijuana and opioids under federal and non-federal contexts.<br /><br />Safety-sensitive workplace concerns require careful assessment, with differing obligations depending on the agency (e.g., DOT vs. HHS), including a five-day window allowing prescribing physicians to consult on treatment. The MRO’s role also extends to evaluating shy bladder cases and handling split specimen testing. Reports emphasize consistency, professionalism, and adherence to regulatory nuances regarding reporting, cancellations, and retesting.<br /><br />The lecture concludes with discussions of state law variations, the emergence of oral fluid testing, and resources for MROs, underscoring the complex judgment calls and the critical role MROs play in ensuring accurate, fair, and compliant workplace drug testing processes.

Keywords

Medical Review Officer

MRO

workplace drug testing

federal guidelines

laboratory results review

donor interviews

custody and control forms

drug test validation

error handling

documentation

donor contact procedures

prescription verification

safety-sensitive workplace

split specimen testing

oral fluid testing