A non-fatal problem with paperwork for drug or alcohol testing must be corrected by the responsible person within a specified time interval. If the problem is corrected then testing may proceed. If not corrected then the specimen is rejected and the test is cancelled.
Exclusion: fatal flaw present
Correctable flaws in urine or alcohol drug testing:
(1) collector does not sign certification statement on the chain of custody form (but not fatal flaw)
(2) temperature of urine not recorded on form (urine only)
(3) no comment stating that the donor failed or refused to sign chain of custody form
(4) a non-federal or expired federal form used
(5) certifying scientist's signature not on the laboratory copy to the medical review officer (MRO) reporting a non-negative result (positive, adulterated, substituted, invalid)
Corrections:
(1) must be completed within time limit (laboratories are required to retain specimens for a minimum of 5 business days pending corrections)
(2) must provide a signed memorandum from collector or certifying scientist stating the problem and that the correction is true and correct
If there is no correction within the 5 days then testing is cancelled and the specimen is reported as rejected for testing.
If the test is cancelled then the person causing the failure must undergo error correction training for the specific problem within 30 days.
