A custody and control form (CCF) is used in processing all drug tests and creates a paper trail because so many different people, departments and companies have their hands on a single test throughout the process. In recent years, it has become more common for employers to implement an electronic version, or eCCF. As of April 13, 2015, the Department of Transportation (DOT) established new rules allowing DOTregulated employers to distribute eCCFs for federal drug testing programs.
An eCCF works in the same manner as a manual form, but reduces the hassle of paper and the likelihood of workers creating errors. This streamlines the collection process, ensuring best practices for each form. The faster and more secure distribution of forms reduces the length of time for the entire drug testing process. The tedious task of manually filling out forms can cause simple mistakes, while using a computer helps guide you through the steps and prevents errors from illegible handwriting. A typed form will always be more legible compared to one written by hand.
When asked why an eCCF is so important, David Eades, vice president of operations at DISA Global Solutions, said, “The eCCF process helps companies save time, reduce errors and enhance security by providing a technology-driven solution to what was a previously paper-based process.”
How can it benefit you?
There are many benefits to using an eCCF. Some of these include, but are not limited to:
- Reducing errors
- Enhancing security
- 25-percent faster turnaround time
- Ensuring quicker payment process time for collection sites
- It’s the way of the future.
Real-life applications
As of Jan. 1, DOT changed regulations, which expanded their drug testing to include hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone and oxycodone for truck drivers and other “safety-sensitive” transportation employees. With the addition of four new drugs to the DOT panel and increased medical review officer activity, users could see an increase in average turnaround time for non-negative DOT drug tests. Utilizing eCCFs, which can save you an average of 25 percent in time, helps offset this additional turnaround time.
In addition, companies that use traditional paper CCFs must manually update their forms, and if the old form is incorrectly used, they could face delays or be noncompliant with the DOT’s latest regulations. Employers have until June 30 to use old forms without a “memorandum of the record” being required. Companies using the eCCF would automatically receive the latest forms updated in their systems. This simple but beneficial example highlights one of the many advantages of using eCCFs over traditional paper CCFs.
This is the future
Much like concert tickets, sporting events or dealing with your insurance, going digital is the future. Whether the drug testing industry is going to shift toward primarily using electronic forms is no longer a question of “if,” but “when.” If your company has not made the switch, now might be the time to consider.
DISA Global Solutions saw more than 25 percent of drug and alcohol tests utilize eCCFs in 2017. This was a jump from five-percent utilization from 2016, and DISA expects to see adoption rates over 50 percent in 2018.
For more information, visit www.Disa.com or call (800) 752-6432.
