Medical Review Officer (MRO) services for clinical interpretation of drug testing results are essential to protect both the employer and employee.

The Medical Review Officer is a licensed physician who is an expert in drug and alcohol testing and the application of federal regulations to the process. MRO services can be added to most drug screening tests ordered by companies. Usually, the MRO service involves that the MRO will review the results of the drug test and makes a recommendation based on the readings.

MRO services can help employers avoid discrimination suits that may be filed by prospective employees who have failed a drug test. It can also help prospective employees whose drug test results were skewed because of taking prescription drugs. Thus MRO services help protect the rights of the employee being tested as well as the employer requiring the test.

MRO services require that Medical Review Officers perform four main functions: Receive lab reports from the laboratory, review lab reports for integrity, authenticity, false negatives, and false positives, interpret lab results, including verification of lab positives and report lab reports to employers.

MRO services are crucial both for employers and for employees. On receipt of a positive drug test result from the laboratory, MRO services immediately require that the medical review officer begins the process of matching the various documents that relate to the subject test result. A review of the Custody and Control Forms is conducted and the forms are assessed for accuracy and completeness. If problems are noted, the MRO service will determine whether to seek an affidavit of correction from the collection provider. If the Custody and Control form is complete and accurate, or has been made complete and accurate by affidavit, the MRO services will then initiate the MRO Verification Documentation form.

The MRO verification documentation is the second level in MRO services. Upon receipt of the test result paperwork, the MRO will conduct a second review of the Custody and Control form to ensure accuracy and completeness. If the MRO finds the form is complete and accurate than the MRO will attempt to contact the donor.  If, after 24 hours, the MRO is unsuccessful in reaching the donor, the MRO then contacts an authorized employer representative.

For positive results, MRO services include that the medical review officer conducts an interview with the applicant and provides a chance to explain the skewed results. In the case of an opiate-positive result, the burden of proof is on the MRO to determine unauthorized use of an opiate. The MRO service puts the burden on the MRO to determine whether an individual is employable or not.