Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kalona, IA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a potent means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a prolonged account of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection span of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. It's easy to collect, hard to manipulate, and straightforward to send.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hairs (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, an ideal sample size for screening and verification. For EtG, additional requests, and/or examinations beyond a 10-panel, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We advocate measuring the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not present, a comparable amount of body hair is an alternative. In the context of head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps in laboratory drug test processing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the sample’s initial processing into the lab system. This involves ensuring that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any pending data input absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary evaluation for substance misuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach for dismissing drug consumption in most samples, a positive result requires Confirmation for legal admission. Any samples showing preliminary positive in Screening need further authentication.

If a sample is preliminarily positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from the hair at much lesser concentrations than other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug analysis particularly challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screening findings is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All drafted positive samples undergo washing prior to Confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection span: Hair drug evaluations can trace drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• High resistance to tampering: Hair drug testing is difficult to tamper with, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insights: Offers a pattern of drug consumption over time, beyond recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent usage: It generally takes around 5-7 days for drugs to register in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations are often pricier than other testing methodologies.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While often termed as "hair follicle tests," the actual examination targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair Follicle Testing Triumphs Over Urine Testing in Kalona, IA
Compared to urine tests, hair follicle drug tests in Kalona, IA offer superior detection capabilities. They provide unmatched accuracy and reliability, capable of identifying drug usage over extended periods. Hair testing’s precision leads to fewer false negatives, assuring employers and courts of a candidate’s or employee’s drug history, which urine tests might miss.

Extended Detection Window

Discovering Drug Use History in Kalona, IA
The extended detection window of hair follicle tests allows the assessment of drug use up to 90 days. This offers employers in Kalona a clear and comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use history. Such tests serve as a powerful tool to evaluate long-term behaviors, surpassing the capabilities of shorter-term tests like urine testing.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure Testing Solutions in Kalona, IA
Hair follicle tests in Kalona, IA are a highly tamper-resistant method of drug detection. The sample collection process follows strict protocols to prevent adulteration, ensuring trustworthy and defensible outcomes. This makes them an ideal choice for organizations aiming to maintain strict standards and safeguard their testing integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessibility Across Kalona, IA and Beyond
Our nationwide network of testing centers, including those in Kalona, IA, provides convenient access to drug testing services. With an extensive reach, clients can effortlessly find a location near them, ensuring the process is both quick and hassle-free, further simplifying workforce drug testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

Effortless and Discreet in Kalona, IA
Kalona's hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, safeguarding user privacy at every step. The streamlined procedure—from test ordering to receiving results—ensures ease of use, making it an ideal choice for personal and professional testing needs without compromising confidentiality and security.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Rates with Rapid Results in Kalona, IA
Providing excellent value, our hair follicle testing in Kalona, IA is both cost-effective and efficient. We emphasize fair pricing structures coupled with quick turnaround times, ensuring that companies of all sizes receive substantial savings while maintaining high standards of drug testing reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The accuracy of hair follicle drug testing in Kalona, IA is unparalleled. This testing method swiftly and precisely identifies substance usage markers, offering results you can rely on. The precision of these tests means that employers and courts can make informed decisions based on reliable data. The speed at which these results are processed ensures that there is minimal waiting, thus making it convenient for all involved.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Assured Compliance and Security for Kalona Employers
In Kalona, IA, hair follicle testing aligns with workplace policies for a drug-free environment, offering peace of mind. It assists employers in complying with regulations and minimizing legal challenges. Utilizing this testing method enhances workplace safety and demonstrates a commitment to stringent substance abuse policies.

Drug Testing Near Kalona, IA

Tiffin, IA

Iowa City, IA

Keota, IA

Coralville, IA

Kinross, IA

Lone Tree, IA

University Heights, IA

West Chester, IA

Washington, IA

Hills, IA

Wellman, IA

Riverside, IA

Frytown, IA