Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assessments have emerged as a robust method for uncovering the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair strands hold a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within their fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair can provide a detection timeline of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
By taking a 1.5-inch piece of about 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, you will have 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the hair is advised. It is best to weigh the hair on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent portion of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we are referring specifically to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The four key stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the beginning phase where a sample is processed into a lab’s system. It involves checking that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entries not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective strategy to exclude drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal validity. Any samples suspected of positivity in Screening require a further confirmation test.
If a sample is assumed positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug testing is the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screen result is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While frequently termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In North Perry, OH, hair follicle testing is favored over traditional urine tests for several reasons. Hair tests are more reliable and accurate, providing longer detection periods and eliminating easy tampering. Comparatively, urine tests often miss a wider range of drugs and recent delayed use. Hence, hair follicle testing is becoming the standard for those serious about zero-tolerance policies.
One primary advantage of hair follicle testing in North Perry, OH is its extended detection window. Capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior, these tests offer employers a detailed view of a person's drug history. In contrast, traditional testing methods cover a shorter duration, failing to capture a complete substance use picture.
Opting for hair follicle testing in North Perry, OH ensures a tamper-resistant method of drug detection. This approach significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, as collected hair samples are difficult to fake or alter. This reliable nature provides legitimate results that authorities and employers can trust for accurate evaluations.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing locations, including services in North Perry, OH. With numerous centers, we ensure quick and hassle-free access to the testing services needed. Our network of practices helps reduce wait times and provides flexible testing options.
The hair follicle testing procedure in North Perry, OH is designed to be simple and confidential. From booking to receiving the results, every step prioritizes privacy and ease. This straightforward process ensures that clients can confidently engage in testing without concerns about data security or complexity.
In North Perry, OH, hair follicle testing is paired with affordable pricing and quick turnaround times. Without sacrificing quality, our competitive rates provide excellent value for businesses of any size, allowing timely insight into employee drug use without exceeding budgets.
Hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results in North Perry, OH. These tests precisely detect substance use, offering employers and individuals rapid insights into drug consumption. Advanced technology used in hair sampling ensures that results reflect true substance use without delay, making it a superior choice for swift and dependable testing.
Employers in North Perry, OH can derive peace of mind and compliance through hair follicle testing. This approach helps adhere to workplace drug-free regulations, minimizing legal exposure. Such testing enhances organizational safety by ensuring a rigorous drug policy and deterring substance misuse in the workplace.
