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Blog Tuesday, March 31 2020
FMCSA has given guidance to Coronavirus COVID-19 and Drugtesting. See below for important information: FMCSA COVID-19 Drug & Alcohol Testing GuidanceDISRUPTIONS TO DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED NATIONAL EMERGENCY[1] To help ensure the safety and well-being of everyone, while also ensuring that we continue to meet our mission, we are providing the following guidance in effect until June 30, 2020. Please click on this link to access information, provided by DOT’s Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy Compliance (ODAPC), about the impact of the COVID-19 national emergency on DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements for employers, employees, and service agents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations provide reasonable flexibility to motor carrier employers and their drivers subject to testing under 49 CFR part 382 to address the COVID-19 national emergency. FMCSA is aware that, as described in ODAPC’s guidance, disruptions caused by the COVID-19 national emergency are interfering with, and in some cases, may be preventing, employer and driver compliance with current drug and alcohol testing requirements. In addition to the guidance provided by ODAPC, see below for further information specifically related to FMCSA’s testing requirements. Recommended actions for FMCSA-regulated employers unable to conduct: • Random Testing – You are required by 49 CFR 382.305(k) to ensure that the dates for administering random alcohol and controlled substances tests are spread reasonably throughout the calendar year. DOT guidance further recommends that you perform random selections and tests at least quarterly. For further guidance see https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/Best_Practices_for_DOT_Random_Drug_and_Alcohol_Testing_508CLN.pdf. If, due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 national emergency, you are unable to perform random selections and tests sufficient to meet the random testing rate for a given testing period in order to achieve the required 50% rate for drug testing, and 10% for alcohol testing, you should make up the tests by the end of the year. You should document in writing the specific reasons why you were unable to conduct tests on drivers randomly selected, and any actions taken to locate an alternative collection site or other testing resources. • Pre-Employment Testing – If you are unable to conduct a pre-employment controlled substances test, in accordance with 49 CFR 382.301(a), you cannot allow a prospective employee to perform DOT safety sensitive functions until you receive a negative pre-employment test result, unless the exception in 49 CFR 382.301(b) applies. • Post-Accident Testing – You are required to test each driver for alcohol and controlled substances as soon as practicable following an accident as required by 49 CFR 382.303. However, if you are unable to administer an alcohol test within 8 hours following the accident, or a controlled substance test within 32 hours following the accident, due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 national emergency, you must document in writing the specific reasons why the test could not be conducted, as currently required. See 49 CFR 382.303(d) and FMCSA Guidance at: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/drug-alcohol-testing/commercial-motor-vehicle-operator-involved-accident-which • Reasonable suspicion testing – You should document in writing the specific reasons why the test could not be conducted as required; include any efforts you made to mitigate the effect of the disruption, such as trying to locate an alternative collection site. This documentation should be provided in addition to the documentation of the observations leading to a test, as required by 49 CFR 382.307(f). Follow current regulations addressing situations in which reasonable suspicion testing is not conducted, set forth in 49 CFR 382.307(e)(1), (2). • Return-to-duty (RTD) testing – In accordance with 49 CFR 40.305(a), you must not allow the driver to perform any safety-sensitive functions, as defined in 49 CFR 382.107, until the RTD test is conducted and there is a negative result. • Follow-up testing - If testing cannot be completed, you should document in writing the specific reasons why the testing could not be conducted as in accordance with the follow-up testing plan; you should include any efforts you made to mitigate the effect of the disruption, such as trying to locate an alternative collection site. You should conduct the test as soon as practicable. FMCSA-Regulated Employees: Please follow the ODAPC guidance, as set forth below, and available at: https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/compliance-with-dot-drug-and-alcohol-testing-regulations.
• As a reminder, it is the employer’s responsibility to evaluate the circumstances of what may be considered an employee’s refusal to test and determine whether or not the employee’s actions should be considered a refusal as per 49 CFR § 40.355(i).
[1] This guidance document does not have the force and effect of law and is not meant to bind the public in anyway. This guidance is intended only to provide clarity regarding existing requirements under the law. Last updated: Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Monday, March 30 2020
Coronavirus Covid-19 Update 3-30-2020 143,025 Acative Cases in the USA. Over 2,500 Deaths due to the Coronavirus. Dr. Fauci, White House COVID-19 Expert, states US could grow to 2,000,000 and this could grow past 100,000. Social Distancing is important. Screening for isolation candidates is as important too!! Screening is a key tool in stopping the growth of active cases and deaths. WSI offers COVID-19 Screening kits. They are simple POCT finger prick tests that gives results as quick as 3 minutes. call 800-338-5515 or info@workplscescreening.com or COVID-19 Coronavirus Screening. Sunday, March 29 2020
Coronavirus Covid-19 Update 3-29-2020 124,686 active Coronavirus cases in the US. There were at least 2,191 deaths to date. Our 3-10 minute COVID-19 Coronavirus screening kit allows for early detection of the COVID-19 Corornavirus. Screening is an important tool that allows for our frontline workers (First Responders, Healthcare, Home Health and other Employees) to be able to quickly screened and diagnosed and become a candidate for isolation is positive. For more information call 800-338-5515 or info@workplacescreening.com or COVID Info Saturday, March 28 2020
COVID-19 Coronavirus update for 3-28-2020 Active cases has grown to 104,837 and Deaths in the US has increased to 1,711 Screening is a key tool in fighting the Coronavirus. We have a 3 minute instant results test that is perfect for frontline workers (First Responders, Health Care, Home Health and other workers). Call 800-338-5515 or info@workplacescreening.com or COVID-19 Coronascreening info Friday, March 27 2020
Advent Health has published a wonderful article on the Facts and Myths of Corona Virus Unfortunately, misinformation about coronavirus is everywhere. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe from the novel coronavirus, you need to separate the facts from the myths surrounding this disease, and we’re here to help you do so. To Get the Facts, Turn to Reliable SourcesBefore we discuss common myths and facts about coronavirus, it’s important to mention to get your factual information from reliable sources. As with all disease outbreaks, misinformation is everywhere, and it’s not recommended to follow advice from unreliable sources, particularly those that are outside of the medical profession. For the most accurate information, you can trust:
At AdventHealth, we’re committed to giving you up-to-date information from only the most trusted sources. And the more you know about this virus, the more empowered you can be. Learn more about the novel coronavirus, read FAQs and get the most up-to-date information on our Coronavirus Resource Hub. Coronavirus 101: Virus vs. DiseaseFor clarity, a virus is different from a disease. Viruses cause diseases. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause diseases, the most recently discovered disease being the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The formal name of this virus is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The virus causes the disease COVID-19. Myths and Facts About Coronavirus and COVID-19We’re dedicated to empowering you with the knowledge you need to stay safe from COVID-19, starting with dispelling these common myths about the disease. Myth: Antibiotics can treat coronavirus. Coronavirus itself is a virus, so only antiviral medications can work against it. Antibiotics only work against bacteria and bacterial infections, not viruses. If you have a bacterial infection, antibiotics can be used. For example, it’s possible for someone who has COVID-19 to also develop a bacterial infection while they’re sick, in which case they might receive antibiotics. Myth: COVID-19 looks much different from other infections. COVID-19 is a type of respiratory disease, and there are many respiratory diseases, so COVID-19 doesn’t look completely different from other illnesses you’ve seen or heard about. The most common visible signs of COVID-19 are fever, dry coughing and difficulty breathing. Myth: COVID-19 is automatically fatal. Coronavirus is definitely scary, but fortunately, getting COVID-19 isn’t an automatic death sentence. The World Health Organization states that most people — about 80%, in fact — who get COVID-19 recover from it, and only a small percentage of people who have the disease have died. Myth: Everyone is at equal risk of getting COVID-19. The World Health Organization explains that your risk depends on where you are (and where you’ve been recently) and, specifically, whether you are or were in an area where Coronavirus is. Your risk of being infected with COVID-19 depends on:
Overall, your risk of getting COVID-19 is higher if many people in your area have been diagnosed with the disease. Your risk also varies depending on your immune health. As with other viral infections, if you have heart disease or another chronic health condition, you may be more vulnerable to COVID-19. Myth: You’ll get COVID-19 from your pet. The World Health Organization states that coronavirus family of viruses is common in animals, but not household pets like cats or dogs. Bacteria like salmonella can pass between your pets and you, but currently, there’s no evidence that your furry family members can carry or transmit coronavirus. You’re safe to cuddle your cat or dog without fear, but as a general hygiene tip, be sure to always wash your hands afterward. Myth: You’ll get COVID-19 from some foods. Coronavirus needs a host (a person or animal, excluding household pets) to spread through, and it’s therefore unlikely for people to get COVID-19 from food. It’s unlikely for the virus to live long without attaching to a host. Similarly, unfounded claims are circulating that some foods can prevent coronavirus, including oregano oil and herbal remedies, but these are not proven. Myth: You’ll get COVID-19 from imported Chinese products. The World Health Organization says it’s it’s OK to receive mail and packages from parts of the world that have reported coronavirus outbreaks. Coronaviruses do not survive for long on packages, objects and letters. With the information we have now, it appears that coronavirus can’t survive outside of the human body for long without a human or animal host. However, if you’re concerned about coronavirus being on surfaces you touch, you can use alcohol-based disinfectants on surfaces in your home or workplace. Myth: The elderly are the only people getting COVID-19. So far, we know that older adults and people with compromised immune systems and pre-existing medical conditions are typically more vulnerable to coronavirus. The CDC has said “it is possible that older adults and persons who have underlying chronic medical conditions may be at risk for more serious complications.” However, anyone of any age can get COVID-19. Myth: Preventive medicines can keep you safe from COVID-19. Although it’s important to have a strong immune system to fight off viruses, it’s not recommended to try boosting your immunity through self-medication.The World Health Organization asserts that traditional herbal or holistic remedies — including wearing sesame oil and rinsing your nose with saline solution — are not effective ways to prevent coronavirus. Likewise, antibiotics and other medicines cannot keep you safe from getting COVID-19 and may do more harm than good. At this time, there’s no specific immunization or medicine that’s proven to prevent or treat COVID-19. Myth: You’ll get coronavirus automatically from someone released from quarantine. You won’t get COVID-19 automatically from someone who’s just been released from quarantine, because that person didn’t develop COVID-19. To help you understand this, we’ll explain how coronavirus quarantine process works (also explained under the FAQ section “How It Spreads” on the CDC’s coronavirus FAQ page). People who’ve been exposed to coronavirus but haven’t developed COVID-19 may be placed in a 14-day quarantine. Fourteen days is the incubation period for coronavirus, meaning it’s the longest amount of time it takes for someone to develop COVID-19 after being exposed to it. If someone’s released from quarantine, it means they didn’t develop COVID-19 during quarantine, so they’re not considered a risk for spreading coronavirus. As an example of this process, in a recent press briefing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the CDC stated that a group of people who were recently released from a mandatory 14-day quarantine in the U.S. pose no health threat to their families or communities. At this 14-day mark, none of the people who were released from quarantine had coronavirus. Myth: You’ll get coronavirus from someone recently released from the hospital. Health care professionals and infectious disease experts are taking every action to restrict the spread of coronavirus, and release patients from the hospital only when it’s determined they no longer pose a health threat to other people. Someone who is released from the hospital has been deemed no longer a health risk to others and is well on their way back to wellness, no longer being contagious. Reinfection with coronavirus can occur, but is not likely to be immediate, so it’s not credible that you’ll automatically get coronavirus from someone who’s recently released from the hospital. Patients are currently being released on a case-by-case basis, according to the CDC. They must meet specific requirements — like no longer showing symptoms and testing negative on multiple respiratory specimens — before returning home. For more information about COVID-19 Screening call 800-338-5515 or info@workplacescreening.com or COVID-19 Coronavirus ScreeningWednesday, March 25 2020
COVID-19 Coronavirus update 3-25-2020 Coronavirus COVID-19 active cases 54,981 and 784 deaths. WSI offers COVID-19 Coronavirus screening to Government, Healthcare and Employers who can accomodate testing. Our test is read within 3 minutes and done via finger prick. Call 800-338-5515 or info@workplacescreening.com Tuesday, March 24 2020
COVID-19 Coronavirus Update 3-24-2020 Greater than 46,000 COVID-19 Coronavirus cases in the United States of America. 560 deaths in America from COVID-19. Screening and early detection is a key to squashing the growth curve of COVID-19 Coronavirus. We have Point of Care Testing devices that allow results within 3 minutes of specimen collection. This allows for early triage and isolation for those positve for the virus vs. waiting for lab results to be returned. HealthCare Organizations, Government agencies and Employers can call 800-338-5515 or info@workplacescreenning.com or https://www.workplacescreening.com/covid_19_testing Monday, March 23 2020
COVID-19 Coronavirus update 3-23-2020 WSI offers screening for the COVID-19 Coronavirus screening. Call 800-338-5515 or https://www.workplacescreening.com/covid_19_testing Greater than 34,000 infections and more than 400 deaths in the United States. Best way to flatten disease is through screening and isolating the infected to stop the spread. Please refer any government official, healthcare organization or business who is in need of COVID-19 Coronavirsu Screening. WSI offers screening for the COVID-19 Coronavirus screening. Call 800-338-5515 or https://www.workplacescreening.com/covid_19_testing Sunday, March 22 2020
See updates below. We want to help those that need it the most. Please share with government officials, employers and healthcare institutions. We have Coronavirus Covid-19 screening available. Update for 3-22-2020: 195,000 individuals have been tested. Screening is the tool that will help the most. Testing supplies have been in short supply. As the supply chain increases, more testing will be available. Our product offers quick and easy diagnosis (as fast as 3 minutes). This will allow those infected to be identified quickly and be isolated and stop the spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus. Please call 800-338-5515 for more information or info@workplacescreening.com
Saturday, March 21 2020
WSI offers Covid-19 Coronavirus screening. We offer two distinct screening platforms including Laboratory based as well as a Point of Care Testing device which provides instant results within 3-10 minutes. The Point of Care Testing device screens for Covid-19 Coronavirus. The Point of Care Testing device offers the following benefits: 1. Instant results (3-10 minute result) for early and quick diagnosis 2. Positive tests need to be confirmed by medical professional and lab confirmation (similar to a pregnancy test). 3. Highly Sensitive and Specific with high accuracy (meaning most negatives are truly negatives and most positives are truly positive) 4. Can be done by whole blood, serum or plasma (We recommend whole blood finger prick process). The lab based test is a Nasal Swab by PCR Technology that screens for Upper Respiatory for the following: Viral Targets (Influenza A&B, Covid-19 Coronavirus strains HKU1, NL63, 229E and OC43 Bacterial Targets Fungal Targets Please go to https://www.workplacescreening.com/covid_19_testing or call 800-338-5515 or info@workplacescreening.com Wednesday, March 18 2020
Everyone is concenrned about the Coronavirus. From business shut down to general health, the alarm has been sounded. If you need to know, we will be offering full-service Coronavirus screening in the very near future. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call 800-338-5515 orhttp://info@workplacescreening.com info@workplacescreening.com
Wednesday, March 18 2020
Our sister company ParentDrugTesting.com has valuable resources for Parents who are concerned that their adolescents maybe abusing drugs, alcohol or vaping. www.ParentDrugTesting.com offers valuabe insight such as: Vaping issues for teens Behavior of use Signs of use Suicide and much more.
Friday, March 06 2020
Presented on the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to our trusted background screen provider Edge Information Management. If you have any questions about the Clearinghouse or would like a presentation for your company or customers, please dont hesitate to contact us at 800-338-5515 or info@workplacescreening.com For more information about Edge Information Management Background Services click on link below: https://edgeinformation.com/wsi-edge-background-screening/
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