Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Considered a robust means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing offers a comprehensive timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair shaft as it grows. Hair samples taken near the scalp can reveal substance usage up to about three months back. This method is non-intrusive to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch snip comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar in diameter to a #2 pencil) cut closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for testing purposes. For EtG screenings, additions, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement. Should scalp hair not be accessible, an equivalent portion of body hair is an alternative. In the context of head hair, this specifically denotes scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other kinds (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Outline
The laboratory processing of test results for drugs involves four major stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial recording of a sample into the lab’s system, ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any supplementary information missing from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is the preliminary evaluation for drug presence, offering an economical solution to eliminate drug usage in most samples. However, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal acceptance. Presumptive positive samples identified during Screening must undergo additional confirmation.
For samples assessed as presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. In this stage, substances are isolated from hair at a concentration much lower than other methods (like urine or oral fluids), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.
Any positive screening is confirmed using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entirety of the lab workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although the tests are frequently termed "hair follicle tests", they actually scrutinize the hair strand, not the follicle located beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing with traditional urine tests in McNary, AZ, several advantages are evident. Hair tests excel in detection accuracy, offering a reliable glimpse into a person's substance use history. They outperform urine tests in terms of dependability, providing a secure, fool-proof option for those needing thorough and conclusive results.
With a detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in McNary, AZ stands out in identifying long-term substance use. This extended period permits employers to gain a broader understanding of an individual's drug use habits, ensuring a comprehensive view that can be crucial for informed decision-making.
Hair follicle tests in McNary, AZ offer a tamper-resistant method of drug testing. This testing mechanism significantly curtails the chance of sample adulteration, leading to results that are reliable and beyond question. Employers and legal entities benefit from the assurance that these tests are conducted in a highly secure manner.
Accredited Drug Testing offers numerous convenient testing locations across McNary, AZ, and nationally. This extensive network allows quick, hassle-free access to our services, ensuring clients can find readily available testing centers without undue effort or delay, underscoring our commitment to ease and accessibility.
In McNary, AZ, the process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, the steps are designed to protect privacy while being user-friendly. This approach addresses any concerns about ease of use and confidentiality in the testing process.
Our hair follicle testing in McNary, AZ is characterized by competitive pricing and quick turnaround times. We aim to deliver exceptional value, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can benefit from our services without financial strain. Providing peace of mind, this efficiency ensures rapid access to crucial testing results.
Hair follicle testing in McNary, AZ offers swift and precise results. The high accuracy in identifying substance use ensures reliable outcomes, critical for employers and individuals requiring exact information. Emphasizing efficiency, hair testing provides confidence in the data acquired and is invaluable in maintaining safety and integrity in the workplace.
In McNary, AZ, hair follicle testing supports employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By integrating this testing, companies enhance workplace safety and reduce legal risks. Ensuring peace of mind, it fortifies the commitment to a safe and compliant working environment.
