Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bern, KS

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug intake by encapsulating biomarkers within the hair's fibers as it grows. When a sample is taken near the scalp, it can offer a detection period of up to approximately three months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, less prone to tampering, and easily transportable.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional testing, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial entry of the sample into the lab's system. This phase involves verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not processed through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for common drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use for many samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal acceptance. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening need a follow-up confirmation test.

If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at a substantially lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.

Confirmation of any positive findings from screening is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptively positive samples undergo a washing process as required. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection span.
• Resistance to tampering: It is notably challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, thereby enhancing result reliability.
• Reflects historical usage patterns: It can illustrate a drug use pattern over a duration, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: A period of about 5-7 days is needed for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the levels of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the test actually evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle embedded under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair Follicle Testing in Bern, KS, proves superior to conventional urine analyses for various reasons. One of the key advantages is its longer detection window, enabling identification of substance use over an expanded timeframe. While urine tests only detect recent use, hair testing effectively reveals drug presence for up to 90 days.

The thoroughness of hair testing is particularly evident when compared to traditional urine tests. With its wider detection range, it provides a comprehensive insight into an individual's substance use history. Employers benefit by gaining a clearer picture of an applicant or employee's habits.

Furthermore, hair tests exhibit better accuracy, reducing false negatives and ensuring more reliable results. This makes hair testing a preferred choice for businesses committed to maintaining a drug-free environment through stringent detection methods.

Extended Detection Window

The ability of hair follicle testing in Bern, KS, to uncover drug use over an extended period is unmatched. It allows employers to assess an individual's substance consumption history up to 90 days back, providing comprehensive and detailed insights.

This unique aspect of hair testing enables employers to make more informed decisions. The extended detection period serves as a valuable tool for gauging an applicant's or employee's long-term compliance with drug-free policies, promoting a safer workplace.

Employers in Bern rely on hair tests for their ability to deliver a complete view of substance usage. The broader observation window is particularly useful in pre-employment or regular screenings, offering a reliable gauge of one's drug use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Bern, KS, hair follicle tests offer a testing method that significantly decreases the risk of sample manipulation. The tamper-resistant nature of hair testing ensures results remain credible and incontestable.

Compared to other testing methods, hair analysis stands out for its robustness against sample adulteration. This reliability ensures that results reflect true substance use, protecting both employers and employees from incorrect interpretations.

The stringent process involved in hair follicle testing ensures the sample collected is genuine and unaltered. For employers, this translates into getting trustworthy information that upholds workplace policies and regulations.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Bern, KS, our numerous testing facilities and national network offer unmatched convenience. Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access to our services, making it hassle-free and straightforward for clients to partake in testing.

With centers throughout all major cities, including Bern, accessing hair follicle drug tests has never been more convenient. You can easily locate a testing center, ensuring timely and efficient test completion.

Our commitment to accessible testing facilities means you can rely on fast and efficient services locally and nationwide. Whether scheduling a test or seeking results, ease and convenience are central to our services.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Bern, KS, is crafted for simplicity and confidentiality. Ordering, sampling, and result reception are streamlined for ease, ensuring privacy at every step.

Clients appreciate the straightforward nature of organizing tests. A step-by-step approach ensures minimal complexity while respecting personal confidentiality, offering peace of mind during the testing process.

Ensuring the privacy and ease of use at every stage, hair testing processes do away with unnecessary complications. From initiation to results, the experience remains user-friendly, promoting trust and confidence in our services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Bern, KS, our hair follicle drug testing offers value through competitive pricing and prompt result delivery. Businesses benefit from fast turnaround times and economical rates, facilitating budget-friendly testing options.

Our pricing structures cater to companies of various sizes, ensuring everyone can access proficient testing services without financial strain. Quick turnaround times enhance this, providing results that matter, fast.

Employers appreciate the affordability and swiftness of our testing services. In Bern, accessing high-quality testing solutions that offer fast results along with reasonable pricing allows for smart business decisions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests in Bern, KS, are unmatched. This method offers high accuracy for identifying substance use, providing results that are both fast and dependable. Hair tests excel in delivering rapid and correct outcomes, making them an ideal choice for ensuring reliability in substance detection.

Whether for pre-employment checks or routine workplace screening, hair testing stands out for its accuracy and reliability. These tests not only yield precise results, but they also do so swiftly, offering businesses in Bern quick access to the information they need.

Choosing hair follicle testing ensures that you get quick and accurate insights into substance use, allowing you to make informed decisions based on reliable data. This accuracy and speed are further geared toward enhancing workplace trust and safety.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Bern, KS, can achieve compliance with drug-free workplace policies and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This method ensures robust policy enforcement, minimizing legal risks related to substance abuse.

Hair testing supports employers' efforts in maintaining workplace safety and adherence to strict drug-free zoning. The reliability of hair test results plays a crucial role in upholding a zero-tolerance environment.

By opting for hair follicle testing, companies in Bern ensure they meet regulatory requirements effectively. This not only protects the organization legally but also promotes a culture of safety and responsibility among employees.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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