Can a doctor illegally test for drugs?

Answer 1

I believe the only circumstances for which a hospital or ER would call the police is:

• If you have illegal drugs IN your possession on their property, or
• If you are threatening /combative, attempting to harm staff.
• If you assault a staff person.
• If your records are requested under warrant because you were arrested for a crime that somehow relates to your hospital admission. For example, you committed a hit/run in your truck; the police tracked you down; they want the blood testing to prove you were DUI by drug use.

Your current/past medical history should still be private under HIPAA-- unless there's reason for the police to be involved. I'm just thinking out loud-- Can you imagine if hospitals had to call the police everytime a person was high on weed or publicly intoxicated in the ER--- they'd be on the phone all day!

Answer 2

Anytime you go to the emergancy room for an accident, or when you have a baby in your tummy =0)

Answer 3

Yes, it is very likely if you have a messed up doctor, then yeah!

Answer 4

yes

ADDED: When diagnosing and treating you they MUST know if there may be any drug or medication interactions which could prove harmful or fatal to the patient.

Answer 5

It is possible that the emergency room clinician will order drug testing. Not every blood test in the emergency room looks for illegal drugs. Most do not.