REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PHYSICIAN HEALTH AND REHABILITATION
CM-PHR Report 3-A-06
Subject: Drug Screen Program; PHR Assistance Fund; TexMed Exhibit
Presented by: John S. Jackson, MD, Chair
Drug Screen Program
The TMA Drug Screen Program was established in September 1996 to provide a statewide, random method for drug screening of physicians under agreement with county medical society PHR committees, district coordinators, and hospital-based peer assistance committees. Seven levels of participation are available to physicians, ranging from 4 to 96 screens per year. There are currently 86 participants in the program, and another 173 have either completed or no longer participate in the program.
Because of the known dissipation of Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) in non-preserved specimens, as demonstrated by studies conducted by National Medical Services, the committee developed the following position statement: "Because of the known dissipation of EtG in urine after a specimen is given, no retesting on a specimen positive for EtG is allowed."
Compass Vision, which helps administer the drug screen program, developed software that generates reference identification numbers for drug screen program participants. The software program was implemented in February 2006 allowing participants to enter their computer-generated reference identification number as opposed to their Social Security Number when calling the toll-free number each day to learn if they are selected for testing. The reference identification number also may be utilized on the chain of custody requisition at collection sites. The computer automatically generates a reference identification number for newly enrolled participants. This system addresses concerns about identity theft raised by some participants, although there had been no problems associated with the program.
PHR Assistance Fund
The 2005 annual fundraising campaign of the PHR Assistance Fund resulted in donations of $7,160. The 2006 campaign, "Have a Heart for Physicians," benefiting the fund, will be held during May. In February, letters were mailed to county medical societies, county alliance presidents and presidents-elect, and hospitals inviting them to assist in promotion of the campaign through direct mailings, journal or newsletter articles, and/or appeals at meetings. Other avenues of promoting the campaign include reference to the fund and campaign during educational presentations, letters to physicians attending a PHR presentation or completing a PHR course on the Internet or through home study, advertisements in various publications, "on-hold" messages, and an exhibit during TexMed 2006. The goal for the 2006 campaign is $20,000 in donations.
TexMed Exhibit
The PHR exhibit will provide information on resources offered by the committee, including its educational programs, drug screen program, Hotline number, and PHR Assistance Fund.
TMA House of Delegates: TexMed 2006