EASTERN IDAHO REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY

It is the intent of Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center to provide a working environment as free from the use of non-prescription drugs and alcohol as reasonably possible.  Given the easy access to controlled substances in the health care setting and the potential risk to patients and others if health care employees are attempting to perform their duties while using or having used drugs or alcohol, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center has adopted the following policy regarding drugs and alcohol.  We ask for your full cooperation as health care professionals in implementing this policy and, just as important, educating other employees and the general public to the risks of substance abuse.

Prohibited Conduct

1. The sale, manufacture, distribution, purchase, use, possession, reporting to work or working while impaired by intoxicants, non-prescribed narcotics, hallucinogenic drugs, marijuana or other non-prescribed controlled substances is prohibited while on facility property or during working hours. 
2. The distribution, sale, purchase, or use or possession of equipment, products and materials which are used, intended for use, or designed for use with non-prescribed controlled substances also is prohibited while on Hospital property or during working hours. 
3. Reporting to or being at work with a measurable quantity of non-prescribed narcotics in blood or urine or use of prescribed narcotics is also prohibited where, in the opinion of the Hospital, such use prevents the employee from performing the duties of his or her job or poses a risk to the safety of the employee, other persons or property.

Testing

An applicant may be requested to undergo a blood test, urinalysis, “breathalyzer” test or other diagnostic test under any of the following circumstances:

1. Following the acceptance of a job offer conditioned upon the passing of a drug test. 
2. Where there is reason to believe, in the opinion of the Hospital, that an employee is impaired by intoxicants, drugs or narcotics while on facility property or during working hours or that an employee has reported to work with a measurable quantity of intoxicants, drugs or narcotics in blood or urine;             
3. Where an employee is involved in an on-the-job accident requiring medical treatment.  For purposes of this policy, Infection Control exposures/splashes are not considered to require “medical treatment”;
4. After the discovery of any missing controlled substance or other unusual event that the Hospital believes may indicate a violation of this policy or a mishandling of controlled substances. 

Search Policy

Where there is reason to believe, in the opinion of the Hospital, that an employee is impaired by intoxicants, drugs or narcotics, or is in possession of any intoxicants, drugs, narcotics or equipment, products and materials that are used, intended for use or designed for use with non-prescribed controlled substances, the facility may search any Hospital property and/or an employee’s personal property that has been brought onto Hospital property (including but not limited to vehicles, handbags, briefcases, etc.)  and the employee may be requested to submit to a search by Hospital representatives of his/her person and/or property.

The Hospital property covered by this policy includes property of any nature owned, controlled or used by the facility, including but not limited to parking lots, offices, desks, file cabinets, lockers and vehicles.

Disciplinary Action

The employee's refusal to submit immediately to a requested search of his/her person or property or to a blood test, urinalysis, "breathalyzer" test or other diagnostic test or a positive result on such test(s) indicating impairment or prior use of intoxicants, non-prescribed narcotics, hallucinogenic drugs, marijuana or other non-prescribed controlled substances may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate discharge.  See the HR Policy Manual #900.18 for details.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center retains Value Options (800)434-5100 for free Employee Assistance.  Your EAP provides confidential help for:

            Family/Relationship Problems    Stress and Depression

            Alcohol/Drug Abuse                  Financial Assistance

            Legal Problems                         Other Concerns

Duty to Report

It is the duty of all employees to report to the appropriate supervisory person, another employee/co-worker who appears to be unfit for duty or impaired by drug/alcohol.