Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures prolonged history of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair shaft as it grows. When collected near the scalp, the hair can offer an approximate 3-month detection timeframe for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, not easily adulterated, and simple to send.
An optimal screening and confirmation sample is a 1.5-inch section comprising about 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp, providing 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. Measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale is recommended. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair can be obtained. Head hair pertains only to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result primarily consists of four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is processed into the lab’s system. This process ensures the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigns a unique Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and addresses any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary check for drug abuse. Although Screening provides a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result mandates confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples testing positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
When a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction preparation. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening a complex technique.
Confirmation of any positive initial screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleansed as needed. The entire Accessioning to Confirmation laboratory process is subject to review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test itself assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Prescott, AR Hair follicle tests offer superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. One notable advantage is their extensive detection window, capturing a history of up to 90 days, making them highly reliable. They are nearly impossible to tamper with, providing greater assurance over standard urine tests, which have a more limited detection period.
Extended Detection Window in Prescott, AR Hair follicle testing provides a substantial advantage by offering a detection window of up to 90 days. This extended timeframe allows employers to better understand an individual's substance use history, making it an invaluable tool for assessing the suitability of applicants or monitoring current employees effectively.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Prescott, AR Hair follicle tests significantly decrease the potential for sample tampering. Given the challenging nature of altering or substituting hair samples, these tests ensure results remain trustworthy and indisputable, providing a level of reliability that is often unmatched by other testing methodologies.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Prescott, AR With an extensive network of testing centers nationwide, accessing hair follicle testing services has never been more straightforward. Whether you're in a bustling city or a quiet town like Prescott, our locations guarantee ease of access to essential testing services.
Simple, Confidential Process in Prescott, AR Our process for ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is both straightforward and confidential. We prioritize privacy at each stage to ensure peace of mind for all clients, addressing potential concerns with effortless and discreet service.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Prescott, AR Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times make hair follicle testing an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes. By blending affordability with quick results, we deliver outstanding value, alleviating concerns about testing expenses with our efficient service model.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Prescott, AR Offering rapid and dependable outcomes, hair follicle drug tests are known for their high accuracy in determining substance use. Individuals seeking conclusive evidence can rely on the efficiency and precision these tests provide, ensuring timely and exact results vital for professional or legal requirements.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Prescott, AR Implementing hair follicle testing helps employers align with workplace drug-free policies, thereby minimizing legal liabilities. It ensures a safer work environment by deterring substance abuse, offering employers peace of mind and building a trustworthy and productive workforce.
