Dilute samples

Sue2

We have an applicant who has a "dilute sample" on his pre-employment non- DOT urine drug screen. We do not have a policy in place for a "dilute". Suggestions?
THANKS...and have a great week-end!

marc

What is a dilute sample and does it effect the accuracy of the test?

Whirlwind

My understanding is that a dilute sample means the person over-consumed fluids before the test, which could have either been innocent or a deliberate attempt to tamper with the test results. I don't have a policy on this either, but my gut instinct would be to re-test after informing the applicant that a second dilute sample will result in a withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment. But before doing any of the above, I would chat with the MRO about whether there's any reason for a dilute sample that would be beyond the person's control.

Don D

An immediate retest. A second dilute equals a no-hire.

System

Look at the creatinine level also and the specific gravity. A dilute sample with a very low creatinine level is an indication that the testee used an agent to rinse his/her system with an antitoxin. Our policy says "acceptable" drug screening result. When the test result is "dilute," we can look at other levels. Sometimes we'll do an immediate retest.

Don D

Sam: A bit off the subject, but, when I worked for the state ages ago, administering Dept. Of Labor training and job counseling programs and General Aptitude Testing being one of them, I often referred to those taking tests as testees. I was always corrected by some old woman who worked for me. She insisted I call them examinees, not testees. I think she was proper.

Hunter1

Gee, I wish I had learned to use those smiley faces!

WT

Certain levels of pills, weed, opiates, etc. have been set as thresholds for a positive test. Samples below that threshold are negative and the employer is not informed of the trace amounts of a substance that might have been found. (This is the answer to the age old argument of a poppy seed on the breakfast roll) A dilute sample can run the individual being tested below the threshold and thus yield a negative test when the results should be positive.

mushroomHR

We retest immediately for a diluted sample. If the second one comes back diluted for a pre-employment we don't hire the person. If it is for a current employee through our random drug testing policy we let the MRO review.

TX Annie

Sue2,
In our policy, we have stated that a sample that comes back "too dilute" or "altered" is considered a positive test result unless the examinee can provide medical documentation to the MRO that explains this result. Of course, no one has ever been able to provide medical documentation.

pollypop

For "medical documentation" would you accept the FDA's recommendation that we each drink a minimum of 8 8oz glasses of water per day? Anyone who follows that recommendation will return a dilute sample. For that reason I think the better option is an immediate retest . . . what Don D said!