title: Drug testing for current employees: an ethical dilemma?
abstract: 1. An ethical dilemma can be defined as either a difficult problem seemingly incapable of a satisfactory solution or a situation involving choice between equally unsatisfactory alternatives. 2. When designing drug testing policies for current employees, the occupational health nurse may face ethical dilemmas related to the scope of testing, the selection of a test methodology, and the assurance of confidentiality. 3. This article demonstrates the application of bioethical theories to these dilemmas. It may assist the occupational health nurse who is developing or revising a worksite policy to analyze alternatives and reach appropriate decisions.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D026686:Beneficence; D028663:Ethical Theory; D004991:Ethics, Institutional; D006801:Humans; D009785:Occupational Health Nursing; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D016134:Organizational Policy; D026706:Paternalism; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012935:Social Justice; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection