Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair testing has increasingly become recognized as an essential mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of substance usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When procured from the scalp, hair can offer an approximate three-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
An ideal 1.5-inch sample, consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplemental tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen amount of 150mg is advised. It is recommended to measure the specimen using a jeweler's scale. In cases where scalp hair is not obtainable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be collected. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the preliminary integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This stage verifies proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening carries out an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although cost-efficient for dismissing drug usage in most samples, positive results in Screening must be verified for court admissibility. Any samples with presumed positive results in Screening mandate a subsequent confirmation step.
In instances where screening produces a presumptive positive result, supplementary hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing one of the most challenging techniques to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening results utilizes methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo necessary pre-washing. The comprehensive laboratory workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized 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: Despite often being labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Wabbaseka, AR demonstrates remarkable advantages over urine tests by providing superior detection accuracy. Hair tests offer a comprehensive view of substance use over a longer period, making them a reliable choice compared to their urine counterparts.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing, up to 90 days, offers employers in Wabbaseka, AR a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use history. This long coverage period is critical in making informed employment decisions and upholding safety standards.
Hair follicle tests in Wabbaseka, AR are renowned for being tamper-resistant, significantly lowering the risk of sample adulteration. Due to their method of collection and analysis, these tests provide trustworthy and definitive results, a key factor for stakeholders needing dependable outcomes.
In Wabbaseka, AR, our nationwide network of testing centers provides unparalleled convenience for all testing services. Our extensive presence ensures quick and hassle-free access to testing locations nationwide, bringing seamless testing processes to you.
The process for hair follicle testing in Wabbaseka, AR is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step prioritizes user privacy and ease, addressing concerns over confidentiality and promoting user trust.
Our hair follicle testing services in Wabbaseka, AR offer affordable pricing and quick turnaround times, making our solutions highly valuable for businesses of all sizes. The competitive rates ensure budget-friendly options without compromising on the quality of service.
In Wabbaseka, AR, hair follicle drug tests are known for their speed and precision. These tests not only provide fast results but also stand out for their accuracy in substance detection. As such, they offer a reliable choice for critical testing needs, ensuring confidence in the results delivered.
In Wabbaseka, AR, using hair follicle tests ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, aiding in reducing legal risks. This testing method not only helps to foster a safer working environment but also provides peace of mind for employers, supporting safety and legal adherence.
