Medical Explanation

When the Medical Review Officer (MRO) reviews the paperwork identifying a worker who has tested positive, a confidential interview is conducted between the MRO and the worker, allowing for any medical explanation for the positive drug result (for example, prescription medication or particular medical treatment). If the MRO concludes there is an acceptable medical explanation, the drug result is reported out as a negative.

If there is no acceptable medical explanation for the result, the test is a confirmed positive and a memorandum is given to SEC-PSS6, identifying the drug, and management is notified. The worker is offered the chance to have a split specimen (split and sealed from the original urine specimen) sent to another certified laboratory of their choosing. LANL pays for the cost of the test.)