FAQ

Do I need to make an appointment?

No. We are a walk-in clinic only. Testing is conducted Monday through Friday between 7:30am and 4:30pm, with the office remaining open until 5:00pm for general inquiries. There may be extra charges after 5:00pm.

What do I need to bring to my drug test?

A federally issued form of picture identification such as a passport or driver’s license, plus any paperwork your place of employment or court judge may have given you. In the case of a court order, please bring the e-mail addresses or contact information for any individual who may be receiving results.

Is a breathalyzer the only way to test for alcohol?

No. For alcohol, we also offer ethyl glucuronide or ethanol (ETG) testing for urine, hair, and nail tests as an add-on to other panels, or for testing by itself. Please call for ETG test pricing at 360-546-1986.

How far back do the tests read?

 Urine tests generally have a 1 to 5 day detection period; Hair tests go back up to 3 months; Fingernails up to 4 to 6 months; Toenails up to 12 to 18 months; and Body hair up to 1 year. Please call us at 360-546-1986 for further questions.

Which drugs are you testing for?

We have a multitude of options for drug screening panels. The most common test is the 5-panel urine, hair, and nail drug screens, which will indicate the presence of amphetamine, methamphetamine, THC, cocaine, and opiates. Below, you will find our more extensive panels and what they cover:

Urine

10-panel: Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, THC, Cocaine, Opiates, Benzodiazepines,
Barbiturates, Methadone, Oxycodone, and Buprenorphine.

*Please note, you may add on Alcohol (ETG) to any of these panels for an additional cost; Alcohol may also be tested by itself without an accompanying drug panel.

Will I be watched while taking my test? Are results available to the public?

No. Except where a court has ordered an observed collection or you are a DOT driver required to take follow-up drug screenings, collections are not under direct observation. Paperwork and results remain strictly confidential, NO EXCEPTIONS. The only individuals permitted to view your paperwork and/or results are approved DERs (Designated Employer Representative) for the company, and anybody you approve to have the results sent to in the case of a personal drug screening.

What are your prices?

Please call us at 360-546-1986 for your specialized walk-in quote on any of the services we offer.

Is it legal to drug test employees?

Yes. Advanced Diagnostic Services can assist your company with developing a drug-free workplace program that is compliant with the law. Please give us a call today at 360-546-1986.

Is my company required to have a drug-free workplace program?

We can help you determine that. Please give us a call at 360-546-1986 and our friendly office staff will be happy to look into it for you. Another option is to contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Workplace Hotline, free of charge, at 1-800-WORKPLACE. SAMHSA belongs to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

What are the key components of a successful drug-free workplace program?

• A clearly written policy.
• Minimum 2-hour training for supervisors on drug and alcohol awareness.
• Drug testing by a certified institution such as Advanced Diagnostic Services.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• An on-going drug and alcohol abuse prevention program.

Why establish a drug-free workplace program? Will it benefit my business? Is it cost effective?

74.3% of adult illicit drug users are employed. By creating a drug-free workplace program, you will create a safer and healthier workplace. The benefits of having a drug-free workplace program have found employers reporting decreases in: Absenteeism, Employee turnover, Employee mistakes, Workplace accidents, and Worker’s compensation claims. Drug-free workplace programs have seen a boost in employee morale, improved workplace environments, and significantly increased customer satisfaction.

In the event of a workplace accident, a drug-free workplace program will ensure your compliance with the law, protecting your company from legal damage.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, alcohol and drug abuse has been estimated to cost American businesses roughly $81 billion in lost productivity in just one year, $37 billion due to premature death, and $44 billion due to illness. Of these combined costs, 86% are attributed to drinking. Setting up a drug-free workplace program with Advanced Diagnostic Services will help save you from these potential costs.

Businesses may also qualify for a discount on their worker’s compensation premiums. For more information, please visit the Washington State’s Labor and Industries website.

How do I set up drug-free workplace program for my business?

Advanced Diagnostic Services will work with you to discover the needs of your organization, and take the proper steps to ensure your unique program design will function well in the workplace. Specializing in workplace drug testing, we will set up, manage, and promote a program that will meet all your company needs. Please give us a call at 360-546-1986 for any further questions.

How does the random program choose employees?

A computerized random program selects employees by their ID number assigned by the company, or the employee’s social security number. The random rate of testing is determined by the appropriate federal rule. In non-DOT regulated testing, the rate will rely on your specific company policy.

Once I have notified my employee that s/he has been selected for a random, how long do they have to get tested?

Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations require that an employee report immediately to the drug testing facility after notification. Failure to do so will result in a “refusal to test,” which is treated as a positive result. If the test is not mandated by DOT, your specific company policy determines the time frame in which the employee must report to the drug testing facility.

What are MROs?

MRO stands for “Medical Review Officer.” This person is in charge of reviewing results in the case of a request for further investigation. For example, if a test came back positive for substances, but the employee claimed they took prescriptions that could affect the test; you can request that a Medical Review Officer review the test in question. The MRO will call your employee to verify their prescription, and then the appropriate physician’s office to confirm this prescription. If the physician is able to confirm, the MRO will then change the results. The MRO is the ONLY person who can change the results of ANY test.

What should I be looking for in an employee who may be abusing substances?

Multiple studies show that substance-abusing employees are more likely to:

• Change jobs frequently.
• Be late or absent from work.
• Show less productivity than their coworkers.
• Be involved in workplace accidents.
• File a worker’s compensation claim.

For further counseling on suspicious behavior in the workplace, please see the “Training” tab at the top of this page. We offer training on how to detect behavior characteristics of substance abuse problems and much more in our course designed for Supervisors, Safety Managers, and Human Resources.

What qualifies an employee to be sent in as a Reasonable Cause/Suspicion? How do I go about this legally? How do I communicate this with the employee in question?

There are many human and legal aspects to consider when asking an employee to take a drug test under “Reasonable Cause/Suspicion.” In our Reasonable Cause & Drug Awareness Class, we cover all of this and more. Please contact us for further questions to see about getting you and certified supervisors trained in this matter. You may also read a little more about the class offered under the “Training” tab at the top of this page.