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Suzanne Ball

Suzanne Ball is an experienced Registered Nurse with a Masters Degree in Health Sciences. She has worked in a variety of settings, including acute care, quality improvement, and research. She is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about medical and health topics.

Articles by Suzanne Ball

DOT Drug Testing Panel Now Includes Opioids: What It Means for Employers DOT Drug Testing Panel Now Includes Opioids: What It Means for Employers DOT Drug Testing Panel Now Includes Opioids: What It Means for Employers DOT Drug Testing Panel Now Includes Opioids: What It Means for Employers


Discussion of the changes in DOT drug testing regulations to require drug testing for opioids beginning in 2018.

How Prescription Opioids Affect the Workplace How Prescription Opioids Affect the Workplace How Prescription Opioids Affect the Workplace How Prescription Opioids Affect the Workplace


Discussion of the impacts of prescription opioids and the abuse of prescription opioids in the workplace.

Prescription Drugs in the Workplace: Employer Rights vs. Employee Privacy Rights Prescription Drugs in the Workplace: Employer Rights vs. Employee Privacy Rights Prescription Drugs in the Workplace: Employer Rights vs. Employee Privacy Rights Prescription Drugs in the Workplace: Employer Rights vs. Employee Privacy Rights


Employers may want to police prescription drugs in the workplace to ensure a safe environment is maintained. However, employees should have...

What Employers Need to Know about Prescriptions in the Workplace What Employers Need to Know about Prescriptions in the Workplace What Employers Need to Know about Prescriptions in the Workplace What Employers Need to Know about Prescriptions in the Workplace


Discussion of the safety concerns of prescription drug use in the workplace and how laws impact what employers can do.

Introduction to Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) and How They are Important to Your Company Introduction to Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) and How They are Important to Your Company Introduction to Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) and How They are Important to Your Company Introduction to Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) and How They are Important to Your Company


Discussion of what Substance Abuse Professionals can do for your company, how they fit in to DOT regulations, and why they are a good...

Drug and Alcohol Program Best Practices Drug and Alcohol Program Best Practices Drug and Alcohol Program Best Practices Drug and Alcohol Program Best Practices


Discussion of best practices for creating and managing a a workplace drug and alcohol program.

Employee Injuries: What Is the Real Cost to Employers? Employee Injuries: What Is the Real Cost to Employers? Employee Injuries: What Is the Real Cost to Employers? Employee Injuries: What Is the Real Cost to Employers?


When an employee is injured, employers pay for more than just the medical treatment. The real cost can be astronomical — and encompass far...

Why Employers Need a Workplace Marijuana Policy Why Employers Need a Workplace Marijuana Policy Why Employers Need a Workplace Marijuana Policy Why Employers Need a Workplace Marijuana Policy


The rapidly changing legal landscape around marijuana is making things more complicated for employers - and making a written policy more...

Pre-employment Medical Exam Legal Issues Employers Need to Understand Pre-employment Medical Exam Legal Issues Employers Need to Understand Pre-employment Medical Exam Legal Issues Employers Need to Understand Pre-employment Medical Exam Legal Issues Employers Need to Understand


Legal issues employers need to understand before requiring a pre-employment medical exam for possible employees

Everything you Need to Know About Pre-Employment Medical Examinations Everything you Need to Know About Pre-Employment Medical Examinations Everything you Need to Know About Pre-Employment Medical Examinations Everything you Need to Know About Pre-Employment Medical Examinations


Discussion of the benefits, procedures, and regulations affecting pre-employment medical exams.

What Employers Should Know About Dilute Specimens in Drug Tests What Employers Should Know About Dilute Specimens in Drug Tests What Employers Should Know About Dilute Specimens in Drug Tests What Employers Should Know About Dilute Specimens in Drug Tests


Drug users often seek to cheat drug tests and the most common method is to attempt to dilute the urine so drugs can not be detected. Find...

Instant Oral Fluid Drug Tests 101 Instant Oral Fluid Drug Tests 101 Instant Oral Fluid Drug Tests 101 Instant Oral Fluid Drug Tests 101


An introduction to instant oral fluid drug tests, their strengths and weaknesses, and the laws surrounding these tests.

Which Non-DOT Drug Test Is Right for Your Company? Which Non-DOT Drug Test Is Right for Your Company? Which Non-DOT Drug Test Is Right for Your Company? Which Non-DOT Drug Test Is Right for Your Company?


Information on choosing a non-DOT drug test for your company.

Three Types of Drug Testing: What Employers Should Know About Lab Testing, POCT, and Express to Lab Testing Three Types of Drug Testing: What Employers Should Know About Lab Testing, POCT, and Express to Lab Testing Three Types of Drug Testing: What Employers Should Know About Lab Testing, POCT, and Express to Lab Testing Three Types of Drug Testing: What Employers Should Know About Lab Testing, POCT, and Express to Lab Testing


Details about the different methods used in drug testing and the strengths and weaknesses of each. Includes lab testing, point of...

Introduction to the 5 Panel Drug Test Introduction to the 5 Panel Drug Test Introduction to the 5 Panel Drug Test Introduction to the 5 Panel Drug Test


Everything you need to know about the 5 panel drug test that is the most common drug test used by companies and is used in DOT testing.

Fatigue Management in Night Shift Workers and Employer Risks Fatigue Management in Night Shift Workers and Employer Risks Fatigue Management in Night Shift Workers and Employer Risks Fatigue Management in Night Shift Workers and Employer Risks


Night shift work requires an entirely different approach than regular work hours. Employers should try to ensure employees aren't...

7 Ways Ergonomic Workstations Can Improve Employee Productivity 7 Ways Ergonomic Workstations Can Improve Employee Productivity 7 Ways Ergonomic Workstations Can Improve Employee Productivity 7 Ways Ergonomic Workstations Can Improve Employee Productivity


Exploring 7 ways that ergonomic workstations improve worker productivity and a company's bottom line.

What drugs are part of a non-DOT 5 panel drug test? What drugs are part of a non-DOT 5 panel drug test? What drugs are part of a non-DOT 5 panel drug test? What drugs are part of a non-DOT 5 panel drug test?


Details on what drugs are included on a non-DOT 5 panel drug test.

Hair Follicle Drug Testing 101 Hair Follicle Drug Testing 101 Hair Follicle Drug Testing 101 Hair Follicle Drug Testing 101


Details on what hair follicle drug testing is, what it can detect, how much it costs, and whether it can be cheated.

Guide to Understanding HIPAA as an Employer Guide to Understanding HIPAA as an Employer Guide to Understanding HIPAA as an Employer Guide to Understanding HIPAA as an Employer


Discussion and explanation of the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) for employers.

Dealing With Type 2 Diabetes in the Workplace Dealing With Type 2 Diabetes in the Workplace Dealing With Type 2 Diabetes in the Workplace Dealing With Type 2 Diabetes in the Workplace


Due to its pervasiveness, it's almost certain you'll encounter a diabetic employee at some point. Here is what you need to know about...

Supporting Employee Mental Health in the Workplace Supporting Employee Mental Health in the Workplace Supporting Employee Mental Health in the Workplace Supporting Employee Mental Health in the Workplace


Mental health concerns in the workplace and how to support employees with mental illnesses.

A Look at Fibromyalgia in the Workplace A Look at Fibromyalgia in the Workplace A Look at Fibromyalgia in the Workplace A Look at Fibromyalgia in the Workplace


Fibromyalgia is an often hidden illness with serious repercussions for employers and employees.

11 Tips for a Successful Company Health Fair 11 Tips for a Successful Company Health Fair 11 Tips for a Successful Company Health Fair 11 Tips for a Successful Company Health Fair


Looking to plan a company health fair? Ensure it's a success with these 11 tips.

When an Employee Requires Hemodialysis When an Employee Requires Hemodialysis When an Employee Requires Hemodialysis When an Employee Requires Hemodialysis


What happens when an employee must receive treatment for kidney failure?

7 Ergonomic Aids for Employees Who Work in a Standing Position 7 Ergonomic Aids for Employees Who Work in a Standing Position 7 Ergonomic Aids for Employees Who Work in a Standing Position 7 Ergonomic Aids for Employees Who Work in a Standing Position


7 ergonomic aids to help prevent injuries for standing workers.

Do Workplace Wellness Programs Save Employers Money? Do Workplace Wellness Programs Save Employers Money? Do Workplace Wellness Programs Save Employers Money? Do Workplace Wellness Programs Save Employers Money?


Medical care costs are expensive, but necessary. However, implementing a workplace wellness program can help improve both your employees'...

8 Best Practices for Background Screening 8 Best Practices for Background Screening 8 Best Practices for Background Screening 8 Best Practices for Background Screening


Discussion of the rules and benefits surrounding background screening of potential employees during the hiring process.

State Drug Testing Laws: What Should Employers Know? State Drug Testing Laws: What Should Employers Know? State Drug Testing Laws: What Should Employers Know? State Drug Testing Laws: What Should Employers Know?


Information employers need to know about state level drug testing laws.

What Happens If Your Employees Have Sleep Apnea? What Happens If Your Employees Have Sleep Apnea? What Happens If Your Employees Have Sleep Apnea? What Happens If Your Employees Have Sleep Apnea?


You've heard about sleep apnea, but what happens to your company when your employees have this disorder?

6 Ways Wellness Testing Benefits Companies 6 Ways Wellness Testing Benefits Companies 6 Ways Wellness Testing Benefits Companies 6 Ways Wellness Testing Benefits Companies


Wellness testing may seem pricy, but in the long run, it'll actually save your company money — and improve employee productivity.

Q&A by Suzanne Ball

How do Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications affect an employee? How do Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications affect an employee? How do Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications affect an employee? How do Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications affect an employee?


Got a headache? Suffering from a cold or cough? Chances are you’ll be one of the nearly three billion consumers that head to a local...

Can a drug test show if I am taking more of a prescription drug than my doctor told me to take? Can a drug test show if I am taking more of a prescription drug than my doctor told me to take? Can a drug test show if I am taking more of a prescription drug than my doctor told me to take? Can a drug test show if I am taking more of a prescription drug than my doctor told me to take?


The exact name and amount of a prescription drug that cause a positive test result are not detected with a drug screen. However, with the...

Why do initial drug tests need to be confirmed? Why do initial drug tests need to be confirmed? Why do initial drug tests need to be confirmed? Why do initial drug tests need to be confirmed?


When companies implement a workplace drug-testing program, it’s important to include a policy regarding how any positive results on...

What is the difference between medical marijuana and recreational marijuana legalization? What is the difference between medical marijuana and recreational marijuana legalization? What is the difference between medical marijuana and recreational marijuana legalization? What is the difference between medical marijuana and recreational marijuana legalization?


As more states vote to allow recreational use of marijuana, employers may be rightfully confused about the differences between how...

Why should a company be concerned about sleep apnea? Why should a company be concerned about sleep apnea? Why should a company be concerned about sleep apnea? Why should a company be concerned about sleep apnea?


The inability to sleep well means more than just a grumpy employee. Adequate rest is necessary for the brain and body. Without proper sleep...

How long does marijuana stay in the system and when can it still be detected on a drug test? How long does marijuana stay in the system and when can it still be detected on a drug test? How long does marijuana stay in the system and when can it still be detected on a drug test? How long does marijuana stay in the system and when can it still be detected on a drug test?


Both the employer and the employee (or job candidate) can have concerns about the accuracy of a drug screen test. Detecting marijuana can...