[dmalone]

Hello everyone. This is my first post on this site. I have been in a monitoring program for 7 years. (I moved from one state to another, LONG STORY). Anyway, I am to complete my disciplicnary contract with the board 4/16/08. Well quess what. I had test come back for +ETG. I did not drink alcohol. I will be taking a lie detector test this week. I am very nervous and scared. I am innocent but I don't trust anyone anymore. I had another previous +ETG that was deemed incidental exposure. I use hand sanitizer 200+ times a day. MRO called it incidental. I ask after the first time if I needed to change my job! They told me not to worry. LIES, LIES. Well this test in so unrelaible that two BON have quit using it. I had just become a victim of this test since September 2007. They change lab compliance companies. I am so frustrated and aggravated. I figure they can do just what they want to. I am really contemplating in finding another career. I am 53 years old and have been in nursing since I was 20 yrs old. Would like to hear your thoughts on this. And oh yeah, isn't the polygrapgh test unreliable as well.

[AmandaWIRN]

what is ETG???

[dmalone]

It is ethylglucuronide. It is a metabolite of alcohol that is detected 80 hrs post consumption. Dr. Greg Skipper introduced this several years ago (2003) which came from Europe. It was to be used to monitor people under the monitoring program for abstinence. Since then, the test has been deemed flawed because one does not have to consume alcohol to have a positive test. It can be from incidental exposure (hand santitizer), in foods we eat (ice cream), in deoderants, and all sorts of household products. NOW, Dr. SKipper is fighting the war on getting this unreliable test not to be considered for reason of relapse. His website is ethylglucuronide.com and there is a yahoo group ETG for people who has fallen because of this test. Two Boards of Nursing have stopped using it. I believe it is Michigan and New Mexico, but not sure. Also the National Council of the Board of Nursing made a statement about it on their website under the displinary site. You should check it out. Everyone that is being monitored with urine screen need to be aware of this test, and what to stay away from to keep from sparking a positive result. It has caused many a nightmare. Including myself.

[AmandaWIRN]

Thanks for the info. I am not in recovery or being monitored, so I had never heard of this test before.