Policy

The School of Medicine does not require "routine" drug testing of medical students. However, some facilities where students may rotate for various clinical experiences do require drug testing before they will accept a student for a rotation. The School generally contracts with these facilities so that the testing can be done through the School rather than through the facility in order to protect students' privacy. The School in turn uses CastleBranch, which provides industry-standardized drug screening service through Quest Diagnostics and Lab Corp laboratories around the 5 state region. Working with CastleBranch, the School has chosen to implement a urine drug screening program for its drug testing protocol. CastleBranch drug testing procedure is used to test for the following drugs:

• Amphetamine (methamphetamine)
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepine
• Cocaine
• Marijuana
• Methadone
• Methaqualone
• Opiates (codeine & morphine)
• Phencyclidine
• Propoxyphene
• Oxycodone

No information concerning drug testing will be shared with the clerkship rotation facility other than to verify that the results were negative.

Students will have access to their drug test report on their MyCB account on CastleBranch website.  The School will also have access to the report via the CastleBranch website.  The School will record compliance status in Evalue but will not upload the reports to Evalue in order to protect students' privacy. 

Confirmed positives for a prescribed medication will be reviewed by a CastleBranch Medical Review Officer.  Once CastleBranch has reviewed the supporting documentation for the prescribed substance, the results will be reported to the School as "negative" and no information about the prescribed substance will be shared with the School.

If there is a confirmed positive for a controlled (Schedules II-V) or an illicit substance, the medical student will be referred to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs for further assessment and management. Depending on the circumstances, the student may be referred to the Washington Physician's Health Plan (WPHP).

Procedure

The drug screen is good for one year.  Your drug test should be taken within the 30 days before your first visit to your preceptor site on August 18, 2020 so get your screening between July 17 and August 18, 2020.  

Step 1. Accessing portal: Castle Branch and click on "place order".

Step 2. Click Please select and choose program – "Current Students"

Step 3.  If you are located in Seattle, select "Seattle DT".  If you are located outside Seattle, select "WWAMI DT". 

Step 4.  Enter the email address / user name associated with your Castlebranch immunizations account

Step 5. Click on the package code and begin the order process - you will need to check the box next to 'I have read this information.' - Next view and read the terms and conditions, you will need to check the box to move forward. IMPORTANT:  the zip code you enter for your “current address” will determine which lab CB routes you to.

Step 6. Follow the step-by-step instructions to finish placing the order. The cost is $43.  This is a student expense and not reimbursable by the UWSOM.

Step 7. You will print out a form which you will take to the lab in your area.  The lab will send the final results to Castlebranch where the UWSOM can view the report.  You should also have access to the report through your account with Castlebranch.

The UWSOM will indicate compliance with drug testing on your Evalue Personal Records tab.  We will enter the date of the drug test. The expiration will be one year later.  We will not upload the report to Evalue in order to protect your privacy.