P004: Scientific Laboratory Division (FY18 Parent)
P004: Percent of blood alcohol tests from driving-while-intoxicated cases that are completed and reported to law enforcement within 15 calendar days
Current Value
29%
Definition
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Story Behind the Curve
- Nationally, New Mexico has had the highest alcohol-related death rate since 1997. New Mexico's rate has consistently been nearly twice the national rate and has been increasing more rapidly than the national rate.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol is a contributing factor in up to 49% of motor vehicle crashes.
- The Scientific Laboratory Division (SLD) Toxicology staff analyze samples for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and drugs to determine cause of impairment in drivers, as well as Office of Medical Investigator (OMI) samples for cause of death. They also serve as expert witnesses in court cases where alcohol or drugs are involved.
- Duplicate testing of each specimen is performed per accreditation requirements, which doubles testing time (started FY16-Q3).
- The Drug Screening Section Line Supervisor position was vacated in FY18 Q3. The replacement of the Drug Screening Section Supervisor and the Line Supervisor position is proceeding. Significant staff vacancies in Toxicology directly relate to decrease in the turn-around time.
- Subpoenas decreased by 28.4%, however, Discovery Orders increased by 13.9% from FY17 Q3.
- In FY18 Quarter 3, 13.7% of BAC testing was reported out in 15 calendar days, which is a significant decrease from Quarter 2. The target of 90% was not met. The staffing change from 67% staffed in Quarter 2 to 44% staffed in Quarter 3 contributed to the decrease of Q3 turnaround time statistics.
- SLD strives to meet the target of 90% reported within 15 days by addressing challenges. The Division endeavors to serve New Mexicans with the highest quality and most efficient program, in part by addressing the impact of staff vacancies on performance.
Partners
- Courts in New Mexico
- Public safety officials (e.g., law enforcement)
- New Mexico Department of Transportation/Traffic Safety Bureau
What Works
- Changes to the management of samples submitted for Drug Screening resulted in more tests reported within the 15-day turn-around time.
- Cross-training analysts between Drug Screening and Drug Confirmation Sections expands the pool of staff available for testing.
- Utilizing the recruitment tool of continuously posting for vacant positions to attract qualified applicants.
Strategy
- Continue to recruit and hire qualified staff.
- Continue training of newly-hired staff.
- Continue to monitor and maintain equipment.
Action Plan
- Q1:
- Fill the vacant Deputy Forensic Toxicologist position in the Toxicology Bureau. Complete. SLD hired Dr. Samuel Kleinman into this position.
- Fill the two vacant Analyst positions in the Drug Screening Section. Complete. Two additional analysts were hired.
- Q2:
- Continue to fill staff vacancies in the Bureau and begin training of newly hired analysts. Ongoing. New staff have completed training in at least one test method and begun training on additional test methods.
- Q3:
- Fill the vacant Drug Screening Section Supervisor position. No candidates identified after first posting.
- Continue to fill staff vacancies in the Drug Confirmation Section. Interviews were completed for open positions.
- Continue building on changes made to sample management procedures within the Drug Screening Section to increase the number of cases reported within the 15-day turn-around time. The loss of positions across Toxicology have had a negative impact on turn-around times.
- Cross-train additional analysts in the technical review of blood alcohol test results. Ongoing.
- Q4:
- Fill vacant Section Supervisor and Line Supervisor positions in the Drug Screening Section.
- Continue to focus on filling vacant positions.
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