Healthcare providers are entrusted with patients’ health, safety, and welfare; have access to confidential and sensitive information; and operate in settings that require good judgment and ethical behavior. Thus, assessing a student’s or accepted applicant’s suitability to function in a clinical environment is imperative to promote the highest level of integrity in health care services.
Clinical Experiences are an essential element in specific degree programs’ curricula. Patient safety concerns have led many healthcare institutions and clinical facilities to require drug screening of healthcare providers. In addition to the University of Oklahoma’s (OU) belief that this is an appropriate patient safety decision, drug screening is now a prerequisite for many facilities to accept student assignments. This policy allows OU to balance the needs of students while protecting the interests of its patients and any affiliated healthcare facilities. This policy also will enable OU to (a) meet the contractual obligations contained in affiliation agreements between the University of Oklahoma Health and the various healthcare facilities; (b) perform due diligence and competency assessment of all individuals who may have contact with patients (including research participants); (c) ensure uniform compliance with accreditation standards and agency regulations pertaining to human resource management; and (d) meet the public demands of greater diligence in light of the national reports on deaths resulting from medical malpractice and medical errors.
This policy applies to all OUHSC-accepted applicants and students admitted to designated degree programs that include or may include a Clinical Experience at a healthcare facility that requires drug screening as a condition of its affiliation with OU. Students should check with their college and/or degree program for specific requirements.
The full OUHSC drug testing policy can be found here.
Additional information can be found at:
CAH Student Handbook (select the applicable year): 11.8 Clinical Requirements
OUHSC Student Handbook: 3.8 Drug Screening
