The role of the MRO physician in the drug testing process
The Medical Review Officer reviews all positive results. Learn how the MRO process ensures legally sound results.
A Medical Review Officer (MRO) is a licensed physician with specialist training in toxicology and drug testing. The MRO physician plays a crucial role in ensuring that drug test results are interpreted correctly.
What does an MRO do?
The MRO physician reviews all positive or disputed test results before they are reported to the employer. This includes:
- Verification of analytical results
- Contact with the tested person for a medical review
- Assessment of legitimate medical explanations
- Final verification of the result
Why is the MRO important?
Many substances that register on drug tests can have legitimate medical explanations. A positive amphetamine test may, for example, be due to ADHD medication. The MRO physician ensures that such cases are handled correctly.
The process for a positive result
When a positive result comes in, the MRO physician follows a standardised process:
- Review of the analysis report
- Contact with the tested person
- Obtaining medical documentation where needed
- Verification of prescriptions and dosage
- Final assessment and reporting
Legal certainty
MRO review is an important part of ensuring that drug testing is legally sound. It protects both employers and employees by guaranteeing that decisions are based on correct interpretations.
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