05/07/2012 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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independent Medical Review Officer ( "MRO ") selected by the City. The MRO is responsible for reviewing and interpreting test results, reviewing the individual's medical history to explain a positive test result, and notifying individuals of confirmed positive test results. Prior to making a final decision to verify a positive test result, the MRO will give the individual an opportunity to discuss the test result. The MRO, or a medical staff person under the MRO's supervision, will contact the individual directly, on a confidential basis, to determine whether the individual wishes to discuss the test result. If the individual wishes to discuss the test result: • The individual may be required to speak or meet with the MRO, who will review the individual's medical history, including any medical records provided; • The individual will be afforded the opportunity to discuss the test results and to offer any additional or clarifying information which may explain the positive test result; • If there is some new information which may affect the original finding, the MRO may request the laboratory to perform additional testing on the original specimen in order to further clarify the results; and • A final deteunination will be made by the MRO that the test is either positive or negative and the individual will be so advised. If the MRO determines there is a legitimate medical explanation for a confirmed positive test result, the MRO will report the test result to the City as negative. If the MRO determines that there is no legitimate medical explanation for a confirmed positive test result, the MRO will report the positive test result to the City. Based on a review of laboratory reports, quality assurance and quality control data and other test results, the MRO may conclude that a particular confirmed test result is scientifically insufficient for further action. Under these circumstances, the MRO will conclude that the test is negative. Job applicants and employees are strongly encouraged to speak with the MRO to provide any valid explanation for a positive test result. The MRO will verify a test as positive without talking directly with the individual under the following circumstances: • The individual expressly declines the opportunity to discuss the test with the MRO after being contacted by the MRO or the MRO's staff representative; • Neither the MRO nor the City, after making all reasonable efforts, have been able to contact the individual within 14 days of the date on which the MRO receives the confirmed positive test result from the laboratory; or • The City has successfully made and documented a contact with the individual and instructed the individual to contact the MRO and more than five days have passed since the date the individual was successfully contacted. Once a positive test has been verified by the MRO, it can be re- opened only if the individual presents to the MRO information documenting that serious illness, injury, or other circumstances prevented the individual from being contacted as described above. If the individual expressly declines the opportunity to discuss the test with the MRO after 41