Medical Review Officer (MRO)
Who is a MRO?
A Medical Review Officer (MRO) is a licensed physician responsible for receiving and reviewing laboratory results generated by an employer’s drug testing program and evaluating medical explanations for certain drug test results.
The MRO acts as an independent and impartial “gatekeeper” and advocate for the accuracy and integrity of the drug testing process. The MRO provides a quality assurance review of the drug testing process for the specimens under their purview, determines if there is a legitimate medical explanation for laboratory-confirmed positive, adulterated, substituted, or invalid drug test results, ensures the timely flow of test results and other information to employers, and protects the confidentiality of the drug testing information.
Why Use a MRO?
The final review of drug test results can be a make-or-break moment for both existing and potential employees, and a first-rate drug testing program places that task in the hands of a Medical Review Officer (MRO). Their role in a drug testing program includes, but goes far beyond, reviewing the final results of administered drug tests. Their overall goal is to ensure the drug testing process is accurate and efficient while protecting both the employer and employees.
Explanation of Results
When a test result comes back positive for drugs, it’s not always an indication that the employee has taken an illegal substance. Likewise, when a drug test result comes back adulterated, substituted, or invalid, specimen tampering is not always to blame. It’s up to the MRO to determine whether illegal drug use or specimen tampering has indeed occurred, or if the results were caused by another issue or problem.
Certain prescription medications or medical procedures, for example, could result in a false positive for illegal substances, which is something the MRO can determine through an interview with the tested individual. The MRO’s medical knowledge and background ensure they are already intimately aware of possible alternative explanations for specific drug testing results, making them well-equipped to determine the explanation behind them.
Protection for Employer and Employees
If additional follow-up or employee contact is required regarding the drug testing procedure, the MRO is responsible for making this contact. When researching positive drug test results, the MRO will secure proof of a valid explanation from the individual and, if provided, report the drug test as negative for an illegal substance. If proof cannot be provided, the MRO will report the test as positive to the employer.
MROs relieve employers of the responsibility of making decisions regarding employees’ claims. When the onus is on the employer, any subsequent lawsuits challenging the employer’s decision also fall to them. With an MRO at the helm, challenges would be directed at a medical professional who has the background, training, and experience to support their decision.
As the point of contact for employers, employees, and drug testing facilities, the MRO also protects the integrity and confidentiality of drug testing results and other personal health-related information.
Additional Responsibilities
In addition to having a background in substance abuse and knowledge of the pharmacology of illicit drugs, MROs go through stringent training in drug testing collection procedures, chain of custody, recordkeeping and interpretation of drug testing results. They can help employers comply with any state, federal or industry drug testing regulations, ensuring procedures are followed as required.
Even if employers are not guided by regulations that require an MRO be part of the drug testing procedure, having one on board is a wise move for the overall accuracy and integrity of your overall drug testing program. MRO Services are required for federally mandated employees.