Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a highly effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When hair is collected from close to the scalp, it can reveal up to approximately a 3-month detection window for alcohol and other substances. The method of collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A sample of 1.5 inches containing about 200 strands of hair (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. It is recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a similar amount of body hair can be gathered. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in processing a drug test result in the lab consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing into the lab's system. This process includes ensuring that the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be considered valid in a legal setting. Any samples identified as potentially positive during Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
In the event a sample tests potentially positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this process, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug screening remains the most intricate methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples identified as potentially positive undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed 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: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Why choose hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests in Sacaton Flats Village, AZ? The answer lies in its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing provides a more comprehensive evaluation compared to urine tests.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Sacaton Flats Village, AZ offers a wide timeframe, capturing drug use for up to 90 days. Employers gain a thorough view of an individual's substance use history, aiding in informed decision-making.
Sacaton Flats Village, AZ residents benefit from hair follicle tests' tamper-resistant methods. This testing method is resistant to sample adulteration, ensuring credible and incontestable results.
With convenient nationwide testing and local facilities in Sacaton Flats Village, AZ, accessing testing services is straightforward and painless, promoting efficiency and ease for all clients.
The hair follicle testing process in Sacaton Flats Village, AZ is both simple and confidential. It addresses privacy concerns and ensures an easy process from ordering to receiving results.
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Sacaton Flats Village, AZ provides exceptional value, making it an attractive option for businesses of any size.
In Sacaton Flats Village, AZ, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. The tests' precision and ability to detect substance use efficiently ensure the highest levels of accuracy.
Employers in Sacaton Flats Village, AZ experience compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing, aligning with the stringent requirements of drug-free workplace policies and enhancing overall safety.