Direct observation during urine collection is required under specific conditions to maintain the integrity of the specimen. This protocol is enforced when:
- Tampering Materials Present: If the collector discovers items at the collection site that could be used to alter or tamper with the specimen.
- Temperature Deviation: If the specimen's temperature falls outside the acceptable range, indicating a potential tampering attempt.
- Suspicious Evidence: If there are any other indicators or evidence that suggest an attempt to compromise the specimen's authenticity.
These measures ensure that the urine collection process remains reliable and valid for accurate testing results.
Why would I need an observed drug test?
An observed drug test is required in situations where there is a concern about the integrity of the sample, such as:
Return-to-duty or follow-up testing for employees previously found violating drug testing policies.
Post-accident or reasonable suspicion testing, where the result is critical for workplace safety.
Court-ordered or probation-related testing, where tampering or substituting samples may be a concern.
Random testing for individuals in safety-sensitive roles under DOT regulations or other industry-specific rules.
The observation process ensures that the urine sample is not adulterated or substituted.
Will over-the-counter or prescription medications affect the test results?
Yes, certain over-the-counter and prescription medications can affect the drug test results by causing false positives. Common substances that may interfere include:
Cold medications containing pseudoephedrine may show up as amphetamines.
Prescription pain medications like codeine or hydrocodone may appear as opiates.
Sleep aids or antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine) may influence the results.
You must disclose any medications or supplements you take to the testing administrator to ensure an accurate interpretation of the results.
How is the sample collected for an observed drug test?
The observed drug test process includes the following:
A same-gender observer will accompany you to the restroom to directly observe the urine sample collection.
The observer will visually confirm that the sample is provided naturally and is not tampered with (no external devices or substances are used).
You will be asked to provide the urine sample in a sterile container while the observer maintains line-of-sight.
Once the sample is collected, it is sealed and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
The observation is meant to ensure the integrity of the test and prevent tampering, but privacy is respected to the extent allowed by the process.
