§ 40.171 How does an employee request a test of a split specimen?

(a)

As an employee, when the MRO has notified you that you have a verified positive drug test and/or refusal to test because of adulteration or substitution, you have 72 hours from the time of notification to request a test of the split specimen. The request may be verbal or in writing. If you make this request to the MRO within 72 hours, you trigger the requirements of this section for a test of the split specimen. There is no split specimen testing for an invalid result.

(b)

(1)

If, as an employee, you have not requested a test of the split specimen within 72 hours, you may present to the MRO information documenting that serious injury, illness, lack of actual notice of the verified test result, inability to contact the MRO (e.g., there was no one in the MRO's office and the answering machine was not working), or other circumstances unavoidably prevented you from making a timely request.

(2)

As the MRO, if you conclude from the employee's information that there was a legitimate reason for the employee's failure to contact you within 72 hours, you must direct that the test of the split specimen take place, just as you would when there is a timely request.

(c)

When the employee makes a timely request for a test of the split specimen under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, you must, as the MRO, immediately provide written notice to the laboratory that tested the primary specimen, directing the laboratory to forward the split specimen to a second HHS-certified laboratory. You must also document the date and time of the employee's request.

[65 FR 79526, Dec. 19, 2000, as amended at 73 FR 35972, June 25, 2008.]

§ 40.173 Who is responsible for paying for the test of a split specimen?

(a)

As the employer, you are responsible for making sure (e.g., by establishing appropriate accounts with laboratories for testing split specimens) that the MRO, first laboratory, and second laboratory perform the functions noted in §§ 40.175–40.185 in a timely manner, once the employee has made a timely request for a test of the split specimen.

(b)

As the employer, you must not condition your compliance with these requirements on the employee's direct payment to the MRO or laboratory or the employee's agreement to reimburse you for the costs of testing. For example, if you ask the employee to pay for some or all of the cost of testing the split specimen, and the employee is unwilling or unable to do so, you must ensure that the test takes place in a timely manner, even though this means that you pay for it.

(c)

As the employer, you may seek payment or reimbursement of all or part of the cost of the split specimen from the employee (e.g., through your written company policy or a collective bargaining agreement). This part takes no position on who ultimately pays the cost of the test, so long as the employer ensures that the testing is conducted as required and the results released appropriately.

§ 40.175 What steps does the first laboratory take with a split specimen?

(a)

As the laboratory at which the primary and split specimen first arrive, you must check to see whether the split specimen is available for testing.

(b)

(1)

Continue the testing process for the primary specimen as you would normally. Report the results for the primary specimen without providing the MRO information regarding the unavailable split specimen.

(2)

Upon receiving a letter from the MRO instructing you to forward the split specimen to another laboratory for testing, report to the MRO that the split specimen is unavailable for testing. Provide as much information as you can about the cause of the unavailability.

(c)

As the laboratory that tested the primary specimen, you are not authorized to open the split specimen under any circumstances (except when the split specimen is redesignated as provided in § 40.83).

(d)

When you receive written notice from the MRO instructing you to send the split specimen to another HHS-certified laboratory, you must forward the following items to the second laboratory:

• The split specimen in its original specimen bottle, with the seal intact;
• A copy of the MRO's written request; and
• A copy of Copy 1 of the CCF, which identifies the drug(s)/metabolite(s) or the validity criteria to be tested for.

(e)

You must not send to the second laboratory any information about the identity of the employee. Inadvertent disclosure does not, however, cause a fatal flaw.

(f)

This subpart does not prescribe who gets to decide which HHS-certified laboratory is used to test the split specimen. That decision is left to the parties involved.

§ 40.177 What does the second laboratory do with the split specimen when it is tested to reconfirm the presence of a drug or drug metabolite?

Cross Reference — Link to an amendment published at 88 FR 27646, May 2, 2023.

(a)

As the laboratory testing the split specimen, you must test the split specimen for the drug(s)/drug metabolite(s) detected in the primary specimen.

(b)

You must conduct this test without regard to the cutoff concentrations of § 40.87.

(c)

If the test fails to reconfirm the presence of the drug(s)/drug metabolite(s) that were reported positive in the primary specimen, you must conduct validity tests in an attempt to determine the reason for being unable to reconfirm the presence of the drug(s)/metabolite(s). You should conduct the same validity tests as you would conduct on a primary specimen set forth in § 40.91.

(d)

In addition, if the test fails to reconfirm the presence of the drug(s)/drug metabolite(s) reported in the primary specimen, you may send the specimen or an aliquot of it for testing at another HHS-certified laboratory that has the capability to conduct another reconfirmation test.

[65 FR 79526, Dec. 19, 2000, as amended at 73 FR 35972, June 25, 2008.]

§ 40.179 What does the second laboratory do with the split specimen when it is tested to reconfirm an adulterated test result?

Cross Reference — Link to an amendment published at 88 FR 27646, May 2, 2023.

(a)

As the laboratory testing the split specimen, you must test the split specimen for the adulterant detected in the primary specimen, using the confirmatory test for the adulterant and using criteria in § 40.95 and confirmatory cutoff levels required by the HHS Mandatory Guidelines.

(b)

In addition, if the test fails to reconfirm the adulterant result reported in the primary specimen, you may send the specimen or an aliquot of it for testing at another HHS-certified laboratory that has the capability to conduct another reconfirmation test.

[73 FR 35973, June 25, 2008.]

§ 40.181 What does the second laboratory do with the split specimen when it is tested to reconfirm a substituted test result?

Cross Reference — Link to an amendment published at 88 FR 27646, May 2, 2023.

As the laboratory testing the split specimen, you must test the split specimen using the confirmatory tests for creatinine and specific gravity, and using the confirmatory criteria set forth in § 40.93(b).

[73 FR 35973, June 25, 2008.]

§ 40.183 What information do laboratories report to MROs regarding split specimen results?

(a)

As the laboratory responsible for testing the split specimen, you must report split specimen test results by checking the “Reconfirmed” box and/or the “Failed to Reconfirm” box (Step 5(b)) on Copy 1 of the CCF, as appropriate, and by providing clarifying remarks using current HHS Mandatory Guidelines requirements.

(b)

As the laboratory certifying scientist, enter your name, sign, and date the CCF.

[65 FR 79526, Dec. 19, 2000, as amended at 73 FR 35972, June 25, 2008.]

§ 40.185 Through what methods and to whom must a laboratory report split specimen results?

(a)

As the laboratory testing the split specimen, you must report laboratory results directly, and only, to the MRO at his or her place of business. You must not report results to or through the DER or another service agent (e.g., a/ C/TPA).

(b)

You must fax, courier, mail, or electronically transmit a legible image or copy of the fully-completed Copy 1 of the CCF, which has been signed by the certifying scientist.

(c)

You must transmit the laboratory result to the MRO immediately, preferably on the same day or next business day as the result is signed and released.

§ 40.187 What does the MRO do with split specimen laboratory results?

Cross Reference — Link to an amendment published at 88 FR 27646, May 2, 2023.

As the MRO, the split specimen laboratory results you receive will fall into five categories. You must take the following action, as appropriate, when a laboratory reports split specimen results to you.

(a) Category 1: Reconfirmed result(s)

• Report to the DER and the employee the result(s) that was/were reconfirmed.
• Reconfirmed positive for drug(s)/metabolite(s): the positive is the final result.
• Reconfirmed adulterated or substituted: refusal to test is the final result.
• Combination positive and refusal to test: final result is both positive and refusal to test.

(b) Category 2: Failed to reconfirm all primary results

• Report to the DER and the employee that the test must be cancelled.
• Inform ODAPC of the failure to reconfirm using the format in Appendix D to this part.
• If substitution criteria not met and split creatinine ≥ 2mg/dL and ≤ 5mg/dL, direct DER to ensure immediate directly observed recollection with no advance notice.
• If split failed to reconfirm and the primary result was also invalid, direct DER to ensure immediate directly observed recollection with no advance notice.

(c) Category 3: Failed to reconfirm and split reported invalid/adulterated/substituted

• If split invalid: report cancellation and reason; direct immediate directly observed recollection; inform ODAPC (Appendix D).
• If split adulterated and/or substituted:
  • Contact employee and inform of finding.
  • Follow § 40.145 to determine legitimate medical explanation.
  • If legitimate medical explanation: cancel test and inform ODAPC (Appendix D).
  • If no legitimate medical explanation:
    • Report verified refusal to test; inform employee of right to request primary-specimen test within 72 hours.
    • Follow procedures in §§ 40.153, 40.171, 40.173, 40.179, 40.181, and 40.185, as appropriate.
    • Primary-specimen reconfirmation lab reports on a copy of Copy 1 of the CCF.
    • If primary reconfirms adulteration/substitution: report refusal to test.
    • If primary fails to reconfirm: cancel the test per paragraph (b).

(d) Category 4: Reconfirmed one or more results, and split also invalid/adulterated/substituted

• Follow paragraph (a) for reconfirmed result(s).
• Report that the split was also invalid/adulterated/substituted.
• Inform the DER to take action only on the reconfirmed result(s).

(e) Category 5: Split not available or no split laboratory available

• Report to the DER and the employee that the test must be cancelled and the reason.
• Direct the DER to ensure immediate directly observed recollection with no advance notice.
• Notify ODAPC of the failure to reconfirm using Appendix D.

(f) For all split specimen results, the MRO must in Step 7 of Copy 2 of the CCF:

• Report by checking “Reconfirmed” and/or “Failed to Reconfirm,” or “Test Cancelled,” as appropriate.
• Enter your name, sign, and date.
• Send a legible copy of Copy 2 of the CCF (or a signed and dated letter, see § 40.163) to the employer and keep a copy; transmit as provided in § 40.167.

[73 FR 35973, June 25, 2008, as amended at 75 FR 59108, Sept. 27, 2010]

§ 40.189 Where is other information concerning split specimens found in this regulation?

You can find more information concerning split specimens in several sections of this part:

• § 40.3—Definition.
• § 40.65—Quantity of split specimen.
• § 40.67—Directly observed test when split specimen is unavailable.
• §§ 40.71–40.73—Collection process for split specimens.
• § 40.83—Laboratory accessioning of split specimens.
• § 40.99—Laboratory retention of split specimens.
• § 40.153—MRO notice to employees on tests of split specimen.
• §§ 40.193 and 40.201—MRO actions on insufficient or unavailable split specimens.
• Appendix D to Part 40—Report format for split specimen failure to reconfirm.

[65 FR 79526, Dec. 19, 2000, as amended at 82 FR 52245, Nov. 13, 2017]