Hair Testing: A Hospital Pre-Employment Requirement?

Hospitals typically conduct pre-employment drug screenings to ensure new hires are not using illicit substances, and many also implement random drug tests throughout employment to discourage substance abuse. While hair testing is an option for pre-employment drug screening, it is not commonly used by hospitals due to its higher cost compared to urine testing. Urine testing is the most common method used by hospitals for pre-employment drug screening because it is more cost-effective and can detect recent drug use. However, hair testing has its advantages, such as providing a longer detection window of up to 90 days, making it a good option for pre-screening applicants.

Hospitals typically conduct pre-employment drug screenings to ensure new hires are free from illicit substances

Hospitals typically conduct pre-employment drug screenings to ensure that new hires are free from illicit substances. While hair testing is an option for pre-employment drug screening, it is not commonly used by hospitals. Instead, they opt for urine testing due to its cost-effectiveness and ability to detect recent drug use. Urine tests are also the most common type of pre-employment drug test used by employers in the United States.

A hair follicle drug test requires a hair sample for analysis. Typically, 100 milligrams of hair, or about 100-120 strands at 4 cm or 1.5 inches in length, are needed for a good sample. If the hair on the head is too short or the person is bald, body hair from the chest, arms, legs, or underarms can also be used as long as the weight requirement is met. However, it is impossible to conduct the test if the person has shaved off all their body hair.

Hair testing is becoming an attractive alternative to urine testing because it gives employers a better understanding of current and past drug and alcohol use. Hair drug tests can detect drug use in the past 90 days, whereas urine tests can only detect drug use in the preceding 5 to 10 days. The longer detection window of hair follicle testing is particularly useful for pre-screening applicants, as most will not have flushed their system for three months before applying for a job.

While hair testing is more expensive than urine testing, it is harder to cheat on a hair test. Additionally, certain medications may influence the results of a urine test, whereas a hair test can determine patterns of illicit drug use or prescription medication misuse over a three-month period. For these reasons, hair testing can be a good way to monitor that a substance abuser is not using drugs again.

Hair testing gives employers a better understanding of current and past drug and alcohol use

Hospitals and other employers may use hair testing as part of their pre-employment screening process. This method of testing is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to urine testing. Hair testing provides employers with a better understanding of current and past drug and alcohol use.

Hair testing is a recent development in drug screening, but the results have proven valuable. By taking a hair sample from the subject, metabolites from drugs can be detected in a hair follicle test up to 90 days after usage, or even more in some cases. These metabolites remain active in the bloodstream during drug use and eventually deposit in the head, attaching themselves to growing hair. Once deposited in the hair, these metabolites retain their detectability for a long period. As hair testing can detect repeated drug use, it is a good way of monitoring whether someone is abstaining from illegal drugs.

Hair testing is also useful for detecting alcohol use over several months rather than days or weeks. This is particularly useful for showing trends in use via a non-invasive sample, and it is mostly used for family law cases and pre-employment tests. This alcohol marker is known as Ethyl Glucuronide (ETG).

Hair testing is also a good deterrent to substance abuse. It is harder to cheat on a hair test than a standard urine test, which is very easy to administer. Urine tests also have a shorter detection window than hair tests.

Hair testing is a robust process with a full chain of custody protocol. Samples are collected under direct observation, reducing the likelihood of sample adulteration or substitution. The hair specimen is collected from the crown of the donor's head and divided into two samples, which are placed into separate containers.

A hair follicle drug test requires a 100-milligram hair sample for analysis

Hospitals and other employers may require pre-employment drug tests to ensure workplace safety, boost productivity, and reduce accidents and turnover. Testing methods can include urine, saliva, hair, and blood tests, with urine tests being the most common.

Hair follicle drug tests are a relatively recent development in drug screening, but the results have been deemed extremely valuable. Hair testing gives employers a better understanding of current and past drug and alcohol use, and it is becoming a desirable alternative to urine testing, especially for pre-screening potential applicants. This is because hair follicle testing offers a longer detection window of up to 90 days, allowing employers to determine whether applicants have been using drugs in the months leading up to their application.

It is important to note that hair follicle drug testing may not be 100% accurate. While it can detect drug metabolites in the hair, factors such as the amount of melanin in an individual's hair can affect the concentration of these metabolites. Additionally, hair growth rates vary among people, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact date of drug use.

Hair testing is more expensive than urine testing

Hospitals and other employers may use hair testing, urine testing, saliva testing, or blood testing to screen applicants for drug use before employment. Urine testing is the most common type of pre-employment drug test used by employers. However, hair testing is becoming a more desirable alternative to urine testing because it gives employers a better understanding of current and past drug and alcohol use.

The higher cost of hair testing may be due to the technology required to release the drugs trapped in the hair. For example, Psychemedics, a company that provides hair testing, claims to have patented technology that releases virtually 100% of the drugs trapped in the hair for analysis. This technology may be more expensive than the technology used for urine testing, which typically involves mass-produced drug panels such as dipsticks or point-of-care test cups.

In addition to the cost of the test itself, there may also be additional costs associated with collecting, storing, and shipping urine samples. Urine testing can also be messy, leading to spills and sanitary concerns. Hair testing, on the other hand, is often simpler, although some participants may be unwilling or unable to provide a hair sample of sufficient quality.

Despite the higher cost, hair testing may be more cost-effective in the long run because it can identify more drug users than urine testing. This is because hair testing has a longer detection window, with metabolites from drugs detectable in hair follicles up to 90 days after usage or even more in some cases. Urine tests, on the other hand, typically only detect drug use from 5 to 10 days ago.

Hospitals also implement random drug tests throughout employment to discourage substance abuse

Hospitals and other employers implement pre-employment drug tests to ensure workplace safety and boost productivity while reducing accidents and turnover. Drug tests can be conducted using urine, saliva, hair, or blood samples. Urine tests are the most common type of pre-employment drug test due to their shorter detection window, ease of administration, and lower cost. However, hair follicle testing is becoming an increasingly desirable alternative for pre-employment screening. This is because hair testing provides a longer-term understanding of current and past drug and alcohol use, acting as a strong deterrent to substance abuse.

Hair testing can detect drug metabolites in the hair follicle up to 90 days after usage, or even longer in some cases. This is because the metabolites deposited in the hair from the bloodstream retain their potency and detectability for an extended period. While hair testing may be considered an admission of guilt, it is a valuable tool for pre-screening applicants and monitoring substance abuse during employment.

Random drug testing is commonly implemented in hospitals and other industries with potential safety issues, such as transportation and manufacturing. These tests are conducted to deter current employees from using drugs and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws. Random selection helps prevent bias and ensures equal chances of being tested for all employees.

In addition to random testing, drug tests may also be conducted after an employee returns from an absence or injury, following workplace accidents, or when drug use is reasonably suspected. These tests help determine if substance abuse contributed to incidents and encourage employees to refrain from substance abuse. Drug testing programs aim to create a safe, drug-free environment for all employees.

Frequently asked questions