MRO Controversies

TRACK: Regulatory, Legal, Military, and Governmental OEM

Karl Auerbach, MD, MS, MBA, FACOEM, Pulse Occupational Medicine, Greece, NY
Natalie P. Hartenbaum, MD, MPH, FACOEM, OccuMedix, Dresher, PA
Douglas W. Martin, MD, FACOEM, FAADEP, FAAFP, Unity Point Clinic - Occupational Medicine, Sioux City, IA
Kent W. Peterson, MD, FACOEM, Occupational Health Strategies, Charlottesville, VA
R. H. Barry Sample, PhD, Quest Diagnostics, Seneca, SC
Donna Smith, EdD/PhD, EDPM, Inc., Birmingham, AL

MRO Controversies is a staple session of AOHC where items of interest to Medical Review Officers are brought forward for insightful discussion that are not taught or addressed in standard MRO training courses. By definition, these issues are intended to raise controversy, as issues such as medical marijuana, alternative testing methodologies, and fitness for duty determinations affect MROs and their practices. In years past we have wrestled with international MRO issues, spousal use concerns and legal parameters. For 2016, given the proposed rule-making regarding the introduction of oral fluid testing as an alternative to urine testing in the federally regulated drug testing programs, there will be much controversy to discuss. Additionally, federal agencies have asked for comments regarding the possibility of considering hair testing. We also will again address the “creep” of incorporating fitness for duty determinations into MRO work. This session was organized by the Medical Review Officers Special Interest Section.