Screened for drugs without permission

[Anonymous]

In my county it is required. My doc gave me the head up though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you for the responses everyone. To be clear, I am not claiming that what they did was illegal. As I mentioned in my original post, I understand that I could have and should have asked for more details about exactly what they were testing, and lesson learned. However, I can guarantee that I did not sign anything that day authorizing any drug screen or any blood work at all(which I guess they don't need from a legal perspective).

Regardless of the legal status I do feel disrespected. As to the reasons I care, it is a matter of trust and consent. I don't want to feel like a suspect every time i seek medical care and even though I don't use drugs, I dislike the idea of women who do use drugs becoming targets by seeking care.

I am skeptical of the idea that making a fuss about this would "raise red flags" in the system but if it did, I would find that all the more reason to make a fuss. I think the practice is unethical and raising red flags over complaints about an unethical practice is even more unethical. In any case, I feel decently well placed to defend myself against any false suspicion, but of course I would rather not have to.

With all that said, I don't know if there is much I can do. I can complain to the various oversight boards and to Kaiser directly. I could also have a frank conversation with my doctor. I might try some subset of those options but I don't anticipate any progress.

Thank you all again for your feedback.

You didn't authorize ANY blood work at all but you... seem to have permitted them to stick the needle in your arm and draw blood...? What am I missing here? Also, it's simply not that big of a deal. As a PP said, this and STD panels are standard practice. The provider probably didn't put a spot light on it for you because it's entirely routine.

They should still review what they are testing for.

Seems pretty obvious you don’t work in healthcare. Do you know how long it would take with each patient to review each and every test you are going to perform? Doctors run late enough as it is. Add that into the mix and they’d never get anything done.

Then they should not be doctors.

You couldn’t handle it for 2 hours.
We’re all going our best. If you can do it better, then get your a$$ to med school and show the rest of us how it’s done.

No, most doctors are not doing their best. I’ve had concerning test results that are a huge red flag and several doctors said they were fine and yet, another doctor was very concerned at no follow up testing and ordered it. Bad lazy doctors do more harm than good. I don’t expect to be explained every test when they order a ton but just a general overview of what they are looking for. The

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my county it is required. My doc gave me the head up though.

Your doctor might require it as a condition of you being their patient, but the county cannot legally require it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I had two babies at Sibley with Foxhall (2020 and 2023) and didn’t get drug tested unless they somehow did and didn’t report the results. -white woman

Your results were probably unremarkable, thus no memorable conversation on the topic.

[Anonymous]

Lots of practices drug test. You’ll be drug tested again before going home from the hospital. If found positive depending on the city you may have your child removed by CPS.

[Anonymous]

Prior doctor PP- what patients expect from health care (individualized care) just isn’t going to happen anymore unless you pay more money for it and get a private doctor. Not sure when patient expections will start to align with the new reality of McDonald’s care brought to you via health care consolidation.

[Anonymous]

This happened to me, lucky I'm a lawyer and had a discussion with my doctor that this was not to be part of my file (even though it all came back negative).

Doctors are a-holes.

[Anonymous]

I would raise it with the provider and be clear that you expect to be told what they are testing for when they test. That’s a reasonable expectation and their response to it will tell you whether you need a new doc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you black? I know a lot of PoC get screened for drugs at a higher rate than white people.

I'm white with 3 kids, never was drug tested

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you for the responses everyone. To be clear, I am not claiming that what they did was illegal. As I mentioned in my original post, I understand that I could have and should have asked for more details about exactly what they were testing, and lesson learned. However, I can guarantee that I did not sign anything that day authorizing any drug screen or any blood work at all(which I guess they don't need from a legal perspective).

Regardless of the legal status I do feel disrespected. As to the reasons I care, it is a matter of trust and consent. I don't want to feel like a suspect every time i seek medical care and even though I don't use drugs, I dislike the idea of women who do use drugs becoming targets by seeking care.

I am skeptical of the idea that making a fuss about this would "raise red flags" in the system but if it did, I would find that all the more reason to make a fuss. I think the practice is unethical and raising red flags over complaints about an unethical practice is even more unethical. In any case, I feel decently well placed to defend myself against any false suspicion, but of course I would rather not have to.

With all that said, I don't know if there is much I can do. I can complain to the various oversight boards and to Kaiser directly. I could also have a frank conversation with my doctor. I might try some subset of those options but I don't anticipate any progress.

Thank you all again for your feedback.

You didn't authorize ANY blood work at all but you... seem to have permitted them to stick the needle in your arm and draw blood...? What am I missing here? Also, it's simply not that big of a deal. As a PP said, this and STD panels are standard practice. The provider probably didn't put a spot light on it for you because it's entirely routine.

They should still review what they are testing for.

Seems pretty obvious you don’t work in healthcare. Do you know how long it would take with each patient to review each and every test you are going to perform? Doctors run late enough as it is. Add that into the mix and they’d never get anything done.

Then they should not be doctors.

You couldn’t handle it for 2 hours.
We’re all going our best. If you can do it better, then get your a$$ to med school and show the rest of us how it’s done.

It wouldn't be so hard if doctors themselves didn't lobby so aggressively to keep the number of doctors in short supply.

Right. Because that’s totes what’s stopping you.

You're a disgusting human being, I feel bad for your patients.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would refuse to pay if I was billed for that.

The joy of 3rd party insurance is that they can do whatever they want and get paid for it too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you for the responses everyone. To be clear, I am not claiming that what they did was illegal. As I mentioned in my original post, I understand that I could have and should have asked for more details about exactly what they were testing, and lesson learned. However, I can guarantee that I did not sign anything that day authorizing any drug screen or any blood work at all(which I guess they don't need from a legal perspective).

Regardless of the legal status I do feel disrespected. As to the reasons I care, it is a matter of trust and consent. I don't want to feel like a suspect every time i seek medical care and even though I don't use drugs, I dislike the idea of women who do use drugs becoming targets by seeking care.

I am skeptical of the idea that making a fuss about this would "raise red flags" in the system but if it did, I would find that all the more reason to make a fuss. I think the practice is unethical and raising red flags over complaints about an unethical practice is even more unethical. In any case, I feel decently well placed to defend myself against any false suspicion, but of course I would rather not have to.

With all that said, I don't know if there is much I can do. I can complain to the various oversight boards and to Kaiser directly. I could also have a frank conversation with my doctor. I might try some subset of those options but I don't anticipate any progress.

Thank you all again for your feedback.

You didn't authorize ANY blood work at all but you... seem to have permitted them to stick the needle in your arm and draw blood...? What am I missing here? Also, it's simply not that big of a deal. As a PP said, this and STD panels are standard practice. The provider probably didn't put a spot light on it for you because it's entirely routine.

They should still review what they are testing for.

Seems pretty obvious you don’t work in healthcare. Do you know how long it would take with each patient to review each and every test you are going to perform? Doctors run late enough as it is. Add that into the mix and they’d never get anything done.

Make a pamphlet you lazy bum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you for the responses everyone. To be clear, I am not claiming that what they did was illegal. As I mentioned in my original post, I understand that I could have and should have asked for more details about exactly what they were testing, and lesson learned. However, I can guarantee that I did not sign anything that day authorizing any drug screen or any blood work at all(which I guess they don't need from a legal perspective).

Regardless of the legal status I do feel disrespected. As to the reasons I care, it is a matter of trust and consent. I don't want to feel like a suspect every time i seek medical care and even though I don't use drugs, I dislike the idea of women who do use drugs becoming targets by seeking care.

I am skeptical of the idea that making a fuss about this would "raise red flags" in the system but if it did, I would find that all the more reason to make a fuss. I think the practice is unethical and raising red flags over complaints about an unethical practice is even more unethical. In any case, I feel decently well placed to defend myself against any false suspicion, but of course I would rather not have to.

With all that said, I don't know if there is much I can do. I can complain to the various oversight boards and to Kaiser directly. I could also have a frank conversation with my doctor. I might try some subset of those options but I don't anticipate any progress.

Thank you all again for your feedback.

You didn't authorize ANY blood work at all but you... seem to have permitted them to stick the needle in your arm and draw blood...? What am I missing here? Also, it's simply not that big of a deal. As a PP said, this and STD panels are standard practice. The provider probably didn't put a spot light on it for you because it's entirely routine.

They should still review what they are testing for.

Seems pretty obvious you don’t work in healthcare. Do you know how long it would take with each patient to review each and every test you are going to perform? Doctors run late enough as it is. Add that into the mix and they’d never get anything done.

Then they should not be doctors.

You couldn’t handle it for 2 hours.
We’re all going our best. If you can do it better, then get your a$$ to med school and show the rest of us how it’s done.

It wouldn't be so hard if doctors themselves didn't lobby so aggressively to keep the number of doctors in short supply.

Right. Because that’s totes what’s stopping you.

You're a disgusting human being, I feel bad for your patients.

You’re a disgusting human being. I’m so glad you’re not my patient.

[Anonymous]

I also have Kaiser insurance.

My doctor explained every test she was ordering when I had my initial blood work. She did order drug screening, and told me it was standard, but also told me she understood if I was uncomfortable. I think I had every test available done in the beginning of my pregnancy. I was grateful for that!

[Anonymous]

Being pregnant in America makes you the immediate suspect when anything goes wrong in your pregnancy. You should get used to being treated like a criminal - drug use, a miscarriage that could be an abortion, FAS, etc.