Facing a drug test can be stressful, especially if you’re concerned about providing a sufficient urine sample. Understanding the standard procedures and potential outcomes if you cannot urinate can help alleviate anxiety. This article clarifies what happens if you encounter difficulty providing a specimen.
Collection Site Procedures
When an individual reports to a drug test collection facility and cannot provide the required urine volume, the collector initiates a specific protocol. The initial insufficient sample is discarded. The collector then offers a second opportunity to provide a sample.
During this period, the individual is allowed to drink fluids over a waiting period that can last up to three hours. Declining to drink these fluids does not constitute a refusal to test. The individual must remain at the collection site in a monitored area during this wait time. If a sufficient sample is still not provided within the allotted time, the collection is discontinued, and the collector documents this on the Custody and Control Form (CCF).
Understanding Insufficient Sample Outcomes
If a sufficient urine sample cannot be provided after the allotted time, the collector notifies the Designated Employer Representative (DER). The employer, often in consultation with a Medical Review Officer (MRO), then directs the individual to undergo a medical evaluation. This evaluation typically needs to occur within five days and involves a licensed physician with expertise in the medical issues related to an inability to provide a urine sample.
If the medical evaluation establishes a legitimate medical reason for the inability to provide a sample, the drug test may be canceled. If no legitimate medical reason is identified, the inability to produce a sample can be interpreted as a “refusal to test.” This refusal is often treated with the same severity as a confirmed positive drug test result. Implications of a refusal can include withdrawal of a job offer, disciplinary action, or termination of employment, depending on the employer’s policies and applicable regulations.
Medical Considerations for Sample Provision
Medical reasons can prevent an individual from providing a urine sample. Conditions such as anuria (absence or very low production of urine) or oliguria (significantly decreased urine output) can prevent providing the necessary volume. These conditions can stem from severe dehydration, certain kidney diseases, or even blockages in the urinary system.
Certain medications can also impact urine production or bladder function. Diuretics, intended to increase urine output, or anticholinergic medications, which can reduce bladder contractions, may affect the ability to void. It is crucial for individuals to communicate any medical conditions or medications to the Medical Review Officer (MRO) when contacted for a follow-up. The MRO, a licensed physician with expertise in drug testing, evaluates medical documentation to determine if a medical condition genuinely prevented the sample collection, distinguishing it from a refusal to test.