What is the role of a Medical Review Officer in substance testing?

A Medical Review Officer is a licensed physician who possesses specialized training in substance abuse disorders and drug testing interpretation. This independent professional acts as a safeguard to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and fairness of the entire testing process. Their primary responsibility is to review and validate laboratory results before they are officially reported to an employer.

When a laboratory identifies a positive, adulterated, or substituted sample, the Medical Review Officer conducts an administrative review of the chain of custody documentation. They then contact the donor directly to conduct a confidential interview. This discussion allows the individual to explain the result and offer medical explanations, such as a legitimate prescription or recent medical treatment.

By analyzing clinical evidence and interviewing the donor, the officer determines whether there is a valid medical reason for the laboratory finding. If a legitimate medical explanation is verified, the officer reports the final result to the employer as negative. This essential function protects employee medical privacy and prevents unjust disciplinary actions based on authorized medication use.