Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use over about a 3-month time frame. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is less feasible, and it’s easily transportable.
Collecting a 1.5-inch section, roughly comprised of 200 hairs (approximately equal to a #2 pencil diameter) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and validation. For EtG, supplementary tests, or panels exceeding ten, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the sample. In cases where scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair may serve. Reference to head hair strictly means scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (like facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab processing of drug test results encompasses four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab's database. It involves ensuring the sample’s seal and shipment integrity, allocation of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completion of additional data entries absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an introductory evaluation for illicit substances. Although Screening is economically efficient for eliminating drug presence in most samples, a confirmed screen is necessary for court admissibility. Any tentatively positive samples in Screening require subsequent verification.
Should Screening indicate a tentative positive, additional hair from the initial sample is used for Extraction. At this stage, substances are derived from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other approaches (such as urine or oral fluid), illustrating why hair drug testing is particularly arduous.
Confirmation of any affirmative screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples with potential positive results undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly misnamed as "hair follicle tests", the process actually evaluates the hair strand, avoiding the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why does hair follicle testing outperform urine testing in Timbo, AR? Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy and reliability, tracking drug use over a longer duration compared to traditional urine tests. This enhances the reliability of the results and supports comprehensive drug policy enforcement.
Timbo, AR benefits from hair follicle testing due to its extended detection window. This method reveals drug use over a 90-day period, offering employers a detailed view of an individual's history with substances, which is crucial for informed decision-making.
Hair follicle tests in Timbo, AR are known for their tamper-resistant nature. This method significantly reduces the chances of sample adulteration, ensuring results are reliable and authentic, thus increasing the confidence of administrators and applicants alike.
Residents in Timbo, AR can enjoy convenient access to testing with our nationwide and local centers. This ensures the process is quick and hassle-free, providing comprehensive services easily accessible no matter your location.
The process in Timbo, AR is both simple and confidential. From ordering to taking and receiving results, privacy and ease are prioritized, alleviating concerns over the procedure's complexity or security of information.
In Timbo, AR, hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Competitive pricing structures cater to various company sizes, ensuring great value, while speedy result delivery provides peace of mind for businesses.
In Timbo, AR, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their high precision aids in detecting substance use effectively. This testing method ensures rapid results and maintained accuracy in substance identification, making it a preferred choice for many.
Employers in Timbo, AR find compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. By meeting workplace drug-free policies, it reduces legal risks and promotes a safer work environment, providing reassurance to both employers and employees.
