Drug testing is a standard part of many jobs and job applications. Now, following trends in other hospitals, from the Rocky Mountain states all the way to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Cody Regional Health is changing its drug testing policy to make the process more deliberate – and no longer random.
Cody Regional Health (CRH) recently announced its revised drug testing policy “aimed at maintaining a safe and efficient work environment while upholding fairness and respecting the rights of their valued team members,” according to their press release.
Previously, the hospital’s Human Resources department randomly picked 20 employees each month for a drug test. The new policy no longer requires random drug testing as part of its routine employee screening process.
This means current CRH staff and employees will no longer deal with the looming possibility of random drug testing.
However, the hospital is not abandoning the practice of drug testing altogether. Drug testing will still be implemented during the hiring process, for reasonable cause, and following any accidents or incidents that may occur within their facilities.
These measures ensure the hospital is proactively protecting patient safety while at the same time respecting the rights and privacy of its employees. In addition, this updated policy aligns with industry best practices and is consistent with the practices of many reputable health systems in the area.
“The decision to modify our drug testing policy was made after careful consideration of various factors, including feedback from our employees, legal guidelines, and comparisons with other healthcare organizations,” says Doug McMillan, CEO of Cody Regional Health. “Cody Regional Health revised our policy to align with approximately 75% of the hospitals in Wyoming.”
McMillian says several institutions that often collaborate with Cody Regional Health – Billings Clinic, St Vincent Health – Intermountain Health, University of Utah, Colorado Health, and The Mayo Clinic – have made similar changes to their drug testing policies.
“We understand that this change has sparked concern among some members of our community, and we would like to take this opportunity to explain the rationale behind this decision,” McMillian said.
According to their press release, Cody Regional Health cites three main factors that led to the policy revisions:
Safety
“Our paramount goal is to maintain a safe environment for our patients, employees, and visitors. By focusing our drug testing efforts on specific circumstances such as hiring, reasonable cause, and post-incident situations, we can ensure that individuals who may pose a risk are appropriately identified and addressed. This targeted approach allows us to prioritize safety effectively while allocating our resources efficiently.”
Efficiency
“Random drug testing, although well-intentioned, can be resource-intensive and may not yield significant benefits in terms of safety. By streamlining our drug testing process to critical scenarios, we can allocate resources more effectively, enabling us to focus on patient care, enhance operational efficiency, and invest in other initiatives that improve the overall quality of our healthcare services.”
Industry Standards
“It is important to note that our revised drug testing policy is in line with prevailing industry standards. Many reputable healthcare organizations have adopted similar practices, aligning with the principles of fairness, privacy, and employee rights. Our aim is to strike a balance between ensuring a drug-free workplace and respecting the privacy and dignity of our employees.”
Overall, Cody Regional Health says the purpose of these policy changes is to provide the highest-quality experience for its staff, just as it strives to achieve for its patients.
“At Cody Regional Health, we remain committed to maintaining a safe, compassionate, and inclusive environment for our patients and employees. Our decision to update the drug testing policy reflects our dedication to evidence-based practices that effectively address the unique needs of our organization and workforce,” stated Dick Smith, Human Resources Officer at Cody Regional Health.
