CURRENT ISSUES IN ALCOHOL TESTING

Alcohol testing in many clinical laboratories has expanded in recent y ears, due largely to employment drug testing programs. The clinical la boratory faces the dilemma of how to handle blood alcohol testing in l ight of the fact that medical circumstances may become legal situation s. Urine is the practical specimen when testing for alcohol in the wor kplace, but it has limitations. Blood tests should be done if the empl oyer is investigating situations such as accidents. Ifa clinical labor atory elects to provide blood alcohol testing for legal purposes, it m ust follow forensic procedures. The Department of Transportation's alc ohol testing program began January 1, 1995. The impact on the clinical laboratory is presently unclear. Employment drug and alcohol screenin g are considered forensic and are therefore exempt under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988. Laboratories providing alco hol testing in the workplace must be aware of requirements under the A mericans With Disabilities Act. This is the second article in a three- part continuing education update series on toxicology. Other articles deal with lead exposure and trace metals.