In this edition of the Quest Diagnostics Results newsletter you will find information on the following topics:
- H1N1 influenza virus - an employer update
- DOT scheduled observed collections & our preferred collection sites
- Wellness testing for nicotine
- Quest Diagnostics health & wellness case study
- One thousand eReq collection sites
- Drug testing return on investment
- Information about upcoming conferences that we will be attending
We trust that you or others within your organization will benefit from this month's content. Please forward this message to anyone whom you feel might benefit.
HIN1 Influenza Virus - Information for Employers
At Quest Diagnostics, we are receiving a number of questions from our employer customers about how they should address the implications of the H1N1 influenza virus in the workplace. The information below is designed to educate employers and employees on what can be done to reduce the workplace risks associated with H1N1 influenza.
The H1N1 influenza virus presents a threat to the health and safety of your employees. As a result, the attendance and productivity of your workforce is also at risk. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has published a tremendous, fact-based resource for anyone interested in learning more. On their website, the CDC states, "If you are sick, you may be ill for a week or longer. You should stay home and keep away from others as much as possible, including avoiding travel and not going to work or school, for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities." This is an important message for employees and for employers. Since the H1N1 virus is spread via person-to-person contact, it is essential that individuals who test positive for the H1N1 virus not come to work while they are ill.
Individuals who exhibit flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, headaches, body aches, fatigue, cough, sore throat, shortness of breadth, vomiting and diarrhea should consult with their physician. A physician may decide to test specifically for the H1N1 influenza virus and prescribe treatment.
Quest Diagnostics is the first commercial lab to be granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) by the FDA to test for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Additionally, Quest Diagnostics is also the first lab able to differentiate the seasonal flu virus from the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus - an important distinction as treatment options are considered.
We have a variety of resources to assist individuals and employers who are interested in learning more about the H1N1 influenza virus.
* Quest Diagnostics aired a webinar discussing the H1N1 influenza virus and its impacts
* Quest Diagnostics has also published an online educational resource
* The Center for Disease Control website presents information on symptoms, treatment, etc.
Direct Observed Collections & Our Preferred Collection Sites
For the past month, Federally-mandated return-to-duty and follow-up drug test collections have been directly observed. If this rule affects your company, we want to let you know what we are doing to enable Preferred Collection sites to perform these collections with the expertise and efficiency that you have come to expect.
* On our online collection site locator we have added the service "Observed Collections" to any site who has indicated that they will conduct observed collections. If you need to find a site that will perform an observed collection, this is the simplest way to find it.
* We hosted WebEx sessions titled "Direct Observation - The Who, The Why and The When" conducted by Mary Hines, the President elect of SAPAA. More than 150 collection site participants attended these sessions.
* We provided all sites with the DOT's Direct Observation instruction sheet.
These simple yet effective steps are enabling our customers and collection sites to make the transition as smoothly and professionally as possible.
The DOT has published an extensive library of documentation surrounding this change. Visit the DOT website to learn more.
Wellness Programs Seeing through the "Smoke" with Nicotine Testing
Cotinine testing for nicotine in wellness programs is gaining in popularity as the trend of requiring smoking employees to pay different health plan premiums increases. Cotinine is usually the test of choice to evaluate tobacco use or exposure to tobacco smoke because it is stable and is only produced when nicotine is metabolized.
Quest Diagnostics is one of the few laboratories that has capability to test for cotinine. Quest Diagnostics utilizes a very specific immunoassay to test for the presence of cotinine. The assay is a highly customized reagent and is researched and developed in-house. Cotinine can be tested from blood, urine or saliva samples. For wellness programs, cotinine is typically tested using an extra blood tube or oral swab sample. Cotinine testing is not a toxicology test for an illegal substance and is not collected using a chain of custody.
For more information about cotinine testing in wellness programs, call 1.800.654.7824 or visit BlueprintforWellness.com.
Our Company's Quest for Health and Wellness
At Quest Diagnostics, we sell wellness programs to other companies, and we provide our Blueprint for Wellness program to our own employees as well. The program was launched in 2005 with the simple goal of trying to keep our employees healthy - and we have. The numbers speak for themselves.
* Among people who have participated in the risk assessment each of the last four years, the percent that are at risk for diabetes has dropped from 23.2% to 21.8%, reversing the normal aging trend.
* Similarly, the percentage with high cholesterol has declined from 10.1% to 9.7%, and those at risk due to high Cholesterol/HDL ratios has declined from 17.4% to 12.5%.
* More than 3,600 tobacco users have enrolled to quit the habit, and our percentage of users has dropped from over 16% to 12%. More than half of our locations have met the Healthy People 2010 tobacco goals, and all company property is now off-limits for tobacco use.
We had more than 33,000 participants in 2008 and the program continues to helps us control healthcare costs, improve the health of our employees and for some employees it has dramatically changed their lives.
"My Blueprint for Wellness results were the first indication that there was something very wrong with my thyroid. I pursued the information through my primary doctor and onto a specialist. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, which, I am thrilled to say, has been entirely treated leaving me cancer free for over a year! I believe that Blueprint for Wellness played a major role in my diagnosis and in turning my life back towards health." - Quest Diagnostics employee and Blueprint for Wellness participant
To find out more or if you would like to select the same testing we offer our corporate wellness programs for yourself* visit www.blueprintforwellness.com. Results readers can receive a special 10% off discount, just enter Promo Code MKT09 when checking out.
*This service is not currently available in NY State or to NY residents.
eReq Collection Site Milestone - 1,000 and Counting!
This week we turned on the 1,000th collection site that can perform electronic drug test collections. The network and its convenience continue to grow. Check out our map to see how many sites are live in your city.
Drug Testing Return on Investment
With the fall hiring season upon us, now is a great time to really understand the benefits and savings of having a drug testing program. If you haven't taken the time yet, spend five minutes and calculate how much your company can save with a drug testing program using our Drug Testing ROI Calculator.
