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The rate of positive drug tests for illicit substances among U.S. workers in 2018 reached a 14-year peak, with marijuana playing a significant role, according to the annual Drug Testing Index from lab services provider Quest Diagnostics. Researchers analyzed the results of more than 9 million drug tests. They found that 4.4% of the combined U.S. workforce (both the general workforce and employees who undergo federally mandated drug testing) tested positive – up from 4.2% in 2017 and 2016 and the highest since 2004, when the rate was 4.5%.

In the latest look at stocks ordered by largest market capitalization, Russell 3000 component EXACT Sciences Corp. was identified as having a larger market cap than the smaller end of the S&P 500, for example Quest Diagnostics, Inc..

The Healthcare Technology Report is pleased to announce the Top 50 Healthcare Technology CEOs of 2019. An extensive process was run to evaluate the hundreds of CEOs that lead exemplary organizations in the fields of medical devices, biotech, healthcare analytics, healthcare software and other related areas. We gathered data on each nominee’s professional background and assessed them across several key areas including breadth of leadership experience in the healthcare technology industry, level of expertise and domain knowledge in their particular field, depth of their executive team’s experience, and consistency of organizational performance. Steve Rusckowski is Chairman, President and CEO of Quest Diagnostics. He joined the Company as President and CEO in 2012. Under his leadership, Quest has refocused on its core diagnostic information services business, sold non-core assets, delivered disciplined deployment, including share repurchases and acquisitions, and simplified its organizational structure to better serve customers by removing complexity, speeding decision making and empowering employees. Previously, Stephen was CEO of Philips Healthcare, which became the largest unit of Royal Philips Electronics under his leadership. He joined Philips in 2001 when it acquired the Healthcare Solutions Group he was leading at Hewlett-Packard/Agilent Technologies.

Despite what crime shows depict, New York is less addicted to illegal substances than the other states except for one -- heroin. This is according to the latest data from the Drug Testing Index of Quest Diagnostics. The laboratory obtained the information from analyzing thousands of drug test results of the U.S. workforce from 2007 to 2018.

Workers tested positive for drugs in the workplace at the highest rate in 14 years in 2018, with marijuana use on the rise and opiate use declining, a new study found. An analysis by Quest Diagnostics found drug positivity rates increased nearly five percent in urine drug tests in 2018 and are now more than 25 percent higher than the 30-year low of 3.5 percent recorded between 2010 and 2012.

One of the arguments for legalization of marijuana is that it would help to ease the opiate epidemic, as marijuana could possibly alleviate opiate withdrawal symptoms and mitigate pain. Some states have approved medical marijuana to treat opiate addiction. The study also found that marijuana use did not help to further alleviate pain. Another important data point comes from Quest Diagnostics, which provides testing services. Workplace testing results showed a 5% increase (2018/2012) in marijuana use in safety-sensitive workers and a related rise in the use of opiate painkillers, while the rate of positive opiate results for the broader workforce fell.

The Southern Women's Show has drawn crowds to Raleigh for 34 years, and Sunday's edition continued that tradition. The organization says the free screenings they offer are brief, but can reveal important information. The organization's tests include screenings for five risk factors associated with heart disease. "We get it done in about 15 minutes and we can tell them 'Ok, your blood pressure is this and your cholesterol is this, and we suggest that you go to the doctor,'" said Rosie Barretta of Quest Diagnostics.

It's been a pretty incredible ride for the marijuana movement over the past couple of years. After spending decades as a taboo topic that lawmakers almost always swept under the rug, cannabis has now become a mainstream issue. It's been legalized for adult consumption in Canada, has been given the green light in some medical capacity in more than 40 countries around the world, and has more support in the U.S. than at any point over the past 50 years, according to polling by Gallup. But there are some folks who might question that lawmakers are moving too far, too fast when it comes to the marijuana industry.his past week, Quest Diagnostics, a leading diagnostic testing firm, and the company responsible for testing millions of Americans a year in the workplace for illicit substances, released its latest analysis , known as the Drug Testing Index, on workplace drug usage.

In an older study conducted for news site KOAT7, microbiologist John Golobic of Quest Diagnostics randomly swabbed the beards of his test subjects and found evidence of gut bacteria commonly found in faeces. He added that whilst the beard bacteria wasn’t likely to cause illness, it was still “a little concerning”.

Workforce drug use continues to rise with positive drug tests hitting a 14-year high, according to new analysis from Quest Diagnostics. The diagnostic information services company released its report which details how rapid legalization efforts are impacting positivity rates. “Our in-depth analysis shows that marijuana is not only present in our workforce, but use continues to increase,” said Barry Sample, PhD, senior director, science and technology, Quest Diagnostics.