Forensic-Employment Testing Procedures

PeaceHealth Laboratories' forensic urine drug testing consists of two steps—a sensitive initial screening test to detect drugs and, when that test is positive, a second more specific test that confirms the absolute presence of drug. Nationally recognized forensic (legal) drug testing standards require that the confirmation procedure must use a different analytical technique than the one used in the initial screening procedure.

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is considered the "gold-standard" for confirmation of initial urine drug screening procedures because it is the most sensitive and specific method. GC/MS essentially shows a "fingerprint" of the drug by determining its chemical structure. Many states require confirmation of positive tests prior to reporting the result when used for employment-forensic purposes. We use GC/MS to confirm every specimen that tests positive on the initial drug screen. Alcohol is screened by an alcohol dehydrogenase method and confirmed by gas chromatography.

Considering the serious consequences of a false positive result to both the employee and employer from less accurate confirmation methods, it is vital the laboratory provide scientifically defensible testing with extremely rapid turnaround time. When GC/MS confirmative testing is used by highly qualified, experienced personnel coupled with proper collection, transportation and reporting procedures, false positive test results will not occur.

For certain clinical or chemical-dependency treatment patients confirmation testing may not be indicated or routinely performed. Please call Drug Testing Client Services to make arrangements for such testing.

PeaceHealth Laboratories maintains strict chain of custody documentation throughout collection, testing and final storage. Drug test results are certified prior to reporting. Positive urine specimens are kept frozen under chain of custody for at least one year.