Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now regarded as an effective approach for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. The hair's strands capture biomarkers, offering a long-term account of alcohol and drug use as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use over a period of approximately three months. It is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair segment consisting of around 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil thickness) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, extended panels, or those exceeding 10-panel tests, it is advisable to acquire 150mg of the sample. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, the same amount of body hair can be gathered. Scalp hair refers specifically to head hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results is composed of four core stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first stage, involving the integration of a specimen into a lab’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not included by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary, cost-effective check for drugs of abuse. Although it can eliminate drug use suspicion for most samples, any positive screening result must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples presumed positive during Screening necessitate additional confirmation.
Should Screening indicate a presumptive positive, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This stage isolates drugs from hair at concentrations much lower than alternate methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing particularly challenging to execute.
Positive screening results undergo Confirmation using methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if needed. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under the auspices of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited in line with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure does not test the hair follicle beneath the scalp but examines the hair strand.
When weighing hair follicle testing against urine tests in Chatsworth, IA, the benefits are clear. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy, spanning up to 90 days. This makes them invaluable for employers seeking reliable evidence of potential long-term substance abuse. Traditional urine tests fail in comparison, limited by their shorter detection window and lower resistance to tampering.
Hair follicle testing in Chatsworth, IA offers an unparalleled extended detection period, capturing drug use up to three months. This extended window provides employers with comprehensive views of a candidate or employee's substance use history, enhancing the ability to make informed hiring or employment decisions with more profound insights into behavior patterns.
In Chatsworth, IA, hair follicle testing's resistance to tampering is a significant advantage. Such tests significantly reduce the risk of sample adulteration, making them dependable for precise results. The meticulous process ensures the integrity of the testing sample, offering an incontestable method that provides peace of mind through its robust reliability.
Convenience is key with Accredited Drug Testing's services in Chatsworth, IA, supported by a network of nationwide testing centers. With local venues providing quick and efficient access, individuals and companies experience hassle-free service, ensuring testing can be conducted smoothly, no matter the location nationwide.
In Chatsworth, IA, the hair follicle testing process is simple yet confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively. The process from ordering to receiving results is straightforward, allowing individuals and companies to conduct the testing with minimal hassle, encompassing both privacy and ease for a seamless experience.
With competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, Chatsworth, IA benefits from affordable hair follicle testing solutions. This balance of cost-effectiveness and quick results offers significant value, delivering peace of mind for businesses of all sizes seeking reliable and economically advantageous drug testing options.
In Chatsworth, IA, the speed and accuracy of hair follicle testing stand out, delivering fast and precise results. This method boasts high accuracy in detecting substance use, offering reliable insights.
Employers can trust the rapid turnaround time and precision, making it a preferred choice for quick decisions without sacrificing reliability in drug detection.
Utilizing hair follicle tests in Chatsworth, IA ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. For employers, this means reduced legal risk, enhanced workplace safety, and peace of mind. Ensuring a drug-free environment becomes straightforward, with reliable evidence upholding company standards and fortifying protocols with superior testing.
