Spirometry Testing Suspended Until Further Notice

Dear Valued Client, 
 
As the current pandemic of coronavirus (COVID-19) rapidly evolves, DriverCheck has evaluated our current practice of offering spirometry testing services. Spirometry tests require the performance of a forced expiratory maneuver which could spread droplets in the air if an infected person is tested, even if asymptomatic. The risk of other individuals inhaling the droplets exists even if the likelihood of this occurring is unknown.
 
Effective immediately, DriverCheck will suspend the booking and completion of spirometry tests until further notice. Existing bookings for spirometry testing will be cancelled and you will receive a notification via eManda of this, as will the facility the service is booked with.
 
Further to this and in the best interest of our clients and their workers, we have also decided to discontinue providing periodic mask fit testing. We will continue to provide initial mask fit testing as it is essential to a worker’s safety in the workplace. In our continued efforts to ensure the safety of your workers and our staff, we have also increased our mask cleaning and disinfecting regime well beyond the required CSA standards.
 
With respect to breath alcohol testing, as the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has not stipulated any changes to the regulations concerning compliance with alcohol and drug testing, and there continues to be a requirement for workplace pre-access testing for non-DOT clients, DriverCheck has implemented measures, including the use of personal protective equipment for staff, to greatly reduce the transmission risk of expelled respiratory droplets. These measures will enable us to continue to offer breath alcohol testing to meet the DOT regulatory requirements and workplace safety concerns without change.
 
DriverCheck will also continue to provide oral fluid testing as there is minimal risk of a forced expulsion of respiratory droplets with this testing procedure. As an added measure to minimize exposure risk to our staff, social distancing will also be implemented while conducting this testing.
 
If you have any questions, please contact our Client Support Group at (800) 463-4310, option #6 or via email at ClientSupport@DriverCheck.ca.  

We thank you for your understanding and we will continue to keep you informed as this situation changes daily.


Sincerely,

DriverCheck Team

NON-DOT SAP COVID-19 Update

Dear Valued Client,

Re: COVID-19 and NON-DOT SAP Assessments Update – March 12, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, DriverCheck’s corporate partner, Essential OS is making the following temporary changes to NON-DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) Assessments:

Effective immediately (March 12, 2020), all NON-DOT SAP cases will be provided through secure video link or telephone. 

This measure will reduce the need for our clinicians and clients to travel, and supports the Public Health Agency of Canada’s strategies of social distancing to help curtail this virus. These assessments are still conducted by our experts following the same SAP protocols, and the reports are still defensible if challenged by any stakeholders.  This recommendation applies to organizations following the Canadian Model, as approved by the organization.  

There will be NO CHANGE to DOT SAP Assessments as these will still be provided face-to-face, pending further guidance from the U.S. Department of Transportation.  

As of March 12, 2020 there are no service restrictions for clients that require face-to-face DOT Assessment. Essential OS will re-evaluate this temporary policy change in three weeks on April 2, 2020 and determine what is best to support our clinicians, clients, and communities.

To stay up-to-date with the most current COVID-19 information, please frequently visit our website for emerging details:   

www.DriverCheck.ca/covid-19-updates 

If you have any questions, please contact our Occupational Health Department at (800) 463-4310, option #5 or via email at medicals@DriverCheck.ca.  

Thank you in advance for your support and consideration at this time.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jonathan W. Davids, MD

Occupational Medicine Physician

Corporate Medical Director, DriverCheck Inc.