By Aug. 25, most healthcare facilities and providers licensed under the law in New Hampshire must adopt a written policy addressing drug testing and the diversion of controlled substances, according to an article on the New Hampshire Business Review website.
The facilities covered include hospitals, physician offices, home healthcare providers, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, birthing centers, dialysis centers and hospice facilities.
It is unclear what percentage of these facilities already has some kind of drug-testing policy, but it is likely that the policies do not meet all the requirements of this law, according to the article.
The policy will apply to all employees, contractors and agents who provide direct or hands-on care to clients.
Issues the policy addresses include:
• How the facility or provider will educate workers about the policy and drugs
• Procedures for voluntary self-referral by addicted employees and for co-worker reporting
• Procedures for drug testing, including, at a minimum, testing where reasonable suspicion exists
• Procedures for investigating, reporting, and resolving misuse and diversion
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