N.H. House backs bill requiring drug testing at healthcare facilities

The bill requires all licensed healthcare facilities in the state to implement drug-free workplace policies and must test employees where a 'reasonable suspicion exists'

By Healthcare Facilities Today


The New Hampshire state House of Representatives voted 289-48 in support of a bill that requires health care facilities to develop drug testing policies for employees, according to an article on the Concord Monitor website. 

The bill was introduced in response to a hepatitis C outbreak started by an Exeter Hospital employee. A hospital technician who knew he was infected with hepatitis C, was stealing and injecting himself with the painkiller fentanyl then returning the tainted syringes to the hospital, the article said. He was sentenced to 39 years in prison for infecting more than 45 people in eight states. 

The bill requires all licensed health care facilities in the state to implement drug-free workplace policies and must test employees where a "reasonable suspicion exists." Any employees, contractors or agents who work directly with clients will be subject to the policies. 

Under the law, each facility can craft its own policy that must include: Education for health care workers, procedures for monitoring storage and distribution of controlled substance inventory, procedures for co-working reporting, processes for investigating, reporting and resolving drug misuse and several other requirements, the article said,

Read the article.

 

 

 



January 29, 2014


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

The Future of Backup Power Systems in Healthcare Facilities

Manufacturers discuss what trends are shaping the future of backup power systems in healthcare.


Infection Control is Key to Ongoing Measles Outbreak

Infection control is essential to protecting both patients and staff from contracting measles.


Kaiser Permanente to Open New Parker Medical Offices

It also announced it's in the early stages of planning a rebuild and expansion of its Westminster Medical Offices.


Skanska Completes Renovation for New Sutter Health Care Center

The new facility will provide internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, as well as lab and imaging services.


Probiotic Cleaners: The Start of a Cleaning Revolution?

Advantages of probiotic cleaning include fewer resistant genes and cost savings through decreased antibiotic use.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.