Random Drug Testing

In order to verify the confidentiality of the random drug testing process, union leadership met with Kristine Schade, IHS Clinical Coordinator and Clara Galati, Director of Human Resources, to review the actual procedure.

On any given day between 8am and 9am a random list will be generated at TUH for employees to be tested that day.

One of two Episcopal IHS RNs certified in the collection of specimens for random drug testing will be notified by Temple of any Episcopal employees on the list.

The IHS nurse will notify an AHD (Associate Hospital Director Tim Ward or Luanne Klein). They, in turn, will notify the employees to report to IHS by 4:30pm.

If an employee selected for testing works the 11p-7a or 7p-7a shift, they will be instructed to report to IHS at 6:30am the following morning and the IHS nurse will be there to collect the specimens.

The collection nurse will verify your identify with your hospital ID. You will be given an authorization and release of information form to sign. This form will also enable you to list any medications or substances which you may have taken in the last five days. If you choose not to declare any medications it will not impact the final results.

The collection nurse will conduct a breathalyzer test.

You will then be instructed to empty your pockets and wash your hands. A private bathroom will be provided and you will be instructed to provide a minimum of 60 ml or urine. The urine specimen is divided into two containers which are sealed with tamper evident tape and initialed by the employee. A drug testing custody and control form is completed by the collection nurse, signed by the donor and placed in a special collection bag with the specimen.

The bag is then sealed with tamper evident tape.

The specimen is delivered to the designated off-campus certified drug testing lab by a DHL currier.

When the specimen arrives at the lab, the PH, Specific gravity and BUN will be tested to determine if the urine is too dilute to ensure accurate testing. If the urine is too dilute, the employee will be asked to provide another sample. If there is any evidence of tampering the lab will notify the MRO.

Results are returned in a minimum of 3 to 4 days. The results will be electronically transmitted directly to the IHS collection nurse at Episcopal or her nurse manager. All results are reviewed by the Medical Review Officer, who is certified in the interpretation of urine drug testing. If the results are negative, there is no notification to the employee.  If the results are positive the MRO will contact the employee directly for an interview and assessment.

If an employee has a valid prescription for a substance that correlates with the drug test, then the test is considered negative.  All results are kept in a locked filing cabinet in the office of the MRO.

Additional Points to Remember:

As stated in the agreement with management, only 8% of the bargaining unit can be tested in a year and the testing must occur on the Episcopal Campus.

The Union will monitor the number of our members tested quarterly through the Episcopal HR Department.

A positive urine test will not result in termination, but referral to the Employee Assistance Program.  We strongly encourage any member who may have a substance abuse problem to seek help from the EAP as soon as possible.

If you believe that the results of a random drug testing were not valid, contact a Union officer immediately.

Do not take a controlled drug that was not prescribed for you.

CONTRACT RATIFICATION VOTE      

Fifty-three members attended the General Membership Meetings and Contract Ratification vote on Friday, July 11, 2008 at which time both the RN and Tech contract extensions were ratified. The vote for the Technical Unit was 18 yes; 0 no. The vote for the RN Units was 26 yes; 9 no. Copies of the agreement were provided at the meetings and delivered to the unit mailboxes of those members who were unable to attend. Please keep this information with your contract for reference. We will also place a copy in the Union binder on each nursing unit and department.

BILLS IN THE PA LEGISLATURE

House bill (HB1660) was introduced June 28.  Senate bill  (SB300) was introduced in March.  Both provide for comprehensive single payer health care coverage for all citizens of PA. Both have the Signature-Guarantee of the Only Chief Executive in the Nation, Governor Ed Rendell, and the Funding Mechanism Built Right into the Legislation.  

HealthCare4AllPA and others are working every day to move both bills towards ultimate passage. Visit the website @ www.healthcare4allpa.org for extensive information on how universal health care will benefit all Pennsylvanians.

STRIDES TOWARD UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IN PA

Health Care for All Pennsylvania is a social welfare organization, founded in 2006 to secure a comprehensive single payer health care system for every citizen of Pennsylvania.

Their mission is to educate the public and government officials regarding the scope and seriousness of the health care crisis, and to support and encourage legislation that achieves among other things comprehensive and fair health care coverage for everyone in Pennsylvania and  economic efficiency through a single payer system, publicly financed, and privately delivered

Employee Free Choice Act.

The key to restoring America's middle class is restoring our freedom to form unions and bargain for better wages, benefits and working conditions

The Employee Free Choice Act (House of Representatives, Bill 800/Senate Bill 1041), supported by a bipartisan coalition in Congress, would enable working people to bargain for better wages, benefits and working conditions by restoring workers’ freedom to choose for themselves whether to join a union. It would:

· Establish stronger penalties for violation of employee rights when workers seek to form a union and during first-contract negotiations.

· Provide mediation and arbitration for first-contract disputes.

Allow employees to form unions by signing cards authorizing union representation.

Help us reach the AFL-CIO’s Labor Day goal of 500,000 signatures supporting the Employee Free Choice Act.

Union reps will be circulating petitions in the hospital