Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is acknowledged as an effective means for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair offers a prolonged detection history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair strands. When picked near the scalp, hair can reflect drug or alcohol use over a 3-month timeframe. Its collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and it’s easily transported.
Collecting a 1.5-inch section approximately consisting of 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields about 100mg, which is optimal for testing and confirmation. For tests like EtG, additional panels, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. Measuring the sample's weight on a jeweler’s scale is suggested. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. References to head hair specifically denote scalp hair, whereas body hair covers other types like facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The primary phases in a laboratory's drug testing process include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step of integrating a sample into the lab system. This includes ensuring proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as an initial, efficient check for drug substances. While it effectively rules out drug use in numerous cases, any positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. All presumptively positive samples in Screening need a follow-up confirmation.
Should a sample indicate a presumptive positive result at the Screening phase, additional hair from the initial sample is prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from the hair at much lower concentrations than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair testing is notoriously challenging.
Confirmation of any positive result from screening is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", they actually assess the hair strands rather than the follicles beneath the scalp.
In Elkins, AR, hair follicle testing proves superior to traditional urine tests. The enhanced detection accuracy and reliability of hair testing make it an optimal choice over conventional urine tests.
Hair follicle testing in Elkins, AR offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, allowing employers to gain a thorough understanding of an individual's drug use history.
Elkins, AR finds hair follicle tests to be a tamper-resistant method. These tests significantly mitigate the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring the integrity of test results.
With convenient nationwide testing centers, including in Elkins, AR, accessing drug testing services is simple and hassle-free, catering to locations both local and widespread.
The process in Elkins, AR for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns and ensuring an easy experience for ordering, testing, and receiving results.
Elkins, AR boasts competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle tests, offering exceptional value and assurance for businesses of all sizes.
Elkins, AR benefits from the fast and accurate nature of hair follicle drug tests. These tests are renowned for their high precision in detecting substance use, making them a preferred choice for quick results.
For Elkins, AR employers, hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and offering peace of mind by enhancing workplace safety.
