Why Use Mobile Drug Testing

By Alyssa Riggs


In this day and age, time is money. Companies are looking for ways to save money and cut downtime without sacrificing safety. Drug and alcohol screening has become mandatory in many industries. Whether alcohol, illegal drugs or overuse of prescription medications, misuse can lead to serious accidents and excessive employee absences. Mobile drug testing is a cost effective way to prevent problems before they occur.

Employees no longer have to leave work to travel to a drug screening facility. This will save hours of travel time and waiting to be tested. It is now possible for the technology involved to come to the workplace, no matter where it is located, or when it is open. This flexibility allows the company to control the details of when and where, as well as save money.

Employees will be able to continue working right up until the time of their individual test, and return right after completion. There is no chance of the workplace being held responsible for any accidents that may have happened during travel to and from a remote testing site. This means less time is taken from the work day and less money lost.

Test companies also save company staff time and money by coordinating and managing the entire specimen collection and testing process. They provide all the equipment, FDA-approved reagents and staff necessary for the collection process, and transport it all to your location, no matter how remote it may be. Many provide counseling or administer rehab programs for any employees who have positive results. Some even offer services for interpreting and keeping records of the results. Choose a company based on your needs and environment.

Mobile facilities are capable of performing many kinds of tests including urine, hair, oral fluid and breath alcohol. Most often the specimens that are collected from employees are urine. The procedure requires certain sterile conditions as well as preparation of the area before collection to prevent any tampering or contamination. Mobile facilities make the process easier for everyone. Cost will depend on your location and the availability of a collection site or the need for one to be provided. The number of employees, the number of shifts and days of work are also a factor.

Trained collectors keep the chain of custody so no tampering or employee errors can result in invalid results. This means less chance of lawsuits later on as all results are admissible in court. There is also a lot of paperwork involved that is all completed by the collection agency.

Programs may be customized to meet specific drug screening requirements depending on the industry your company is in. Options include pre-employment tests, random, reasonable suspicion, return to duty, follow-up, and emergency post-accident services. All are carried out by trained individuals with standard protocols in place.

No drugs in the workplace ensures a safer environment that is conducive to productivity. This means fewer worker compensation claims and fewer days of sick time taken. Bringing the testing service onsite is more convenient especially in remote areas. Mass hiring can be conducted quickly and all at once without waiting to schedule appointments. Mobile drug testing also helps alleviate stress and cost if any potential hazardous exposure occurs.




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