Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly valued as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers a prolonged record of drug and alcohol consumption by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When obtained near the scalp, hair can present a detection period of up to around three months for substances. It is uncomplicated to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
Gathering a 1.5-inch cut of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Measuring the specimen on a jeweler's scale is suggested. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equal amount from body hair may be gathered. References to head hair mean only scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing for a drug test result includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning handles the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system, checking that it was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for drug substances. Although Screening economically dismisses drug usage in most samples, any positive results require confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptively positive samples from Screening necessitate secondary verification.
If a Screening is presumptively positive, additional hair is pulled from the original sample for Extraction, where drugs are isolated at much lesser concentrations than through other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), marking hair drug screening as one of the most challenging methodologies.
Confirmation of any positive screening results is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleaned as needed before confirmation. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in accordance with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", these actually examine the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Testing Surpasses Urine Tests in Alpaugh, CA. Hair follicle testing offers notable advantages over traditional urine methods, including superior detection capabilities and reliability. Unlike urine tests that may miss substances consumed several days prior, hair testing maintains an extensive detection window, making it invaluable for comprehensive drug screenings.
Extended Detection Window in Alpaugh, CA. Hair follicle testing successfully identifies drug use for a prolonged duration, up to 90 days. This extended window provides employers with a thorough overview of an individual’s substance usage history, ensuring informed hiring decisions and bolstering workplace safety policies effectively.
Tamper-Resistant Approach in Alpaugh, CA. Hair follicle tests drastically reduce the chances of sample tampering, guaranteeing accurate and indisputable results. The intricacies of hair analysis impose significant hurdles against adulteration, ensuring that findings remain trustworthy and valid across various testing conditions.
Widespread Testing Venues in Alpaugh, CA. Our extensive network of testing centers ensures the effortless and quick administration of tests nationwide, including local facilities. This unrivaled accessibility allows businesses to easily implement drug testing protocols, eliminating logistical barriers and fostering a seamless experience.
Straightforward and Discreet Processes in Alpaugh, CA. Our procedure for ordering, undergoing, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. This ensures user comfort and privacy throughout, addressing any privacy concerns efficiently with utmost assurance in result handling.
Cost-Effective and Prompt Results in Alpaugh, CA. Competitive pricing paired with swift turnaround times underscores the excellent worth offered by our hair follicle testing services. Organizations of varying sizes benefit from this cost-effective solution, achieving peace of mind with quick, reliable results at an accessible price point.
Fast and Precise Results in Alpaugh, CA. Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their exceptional precision in pinpointing drug usage. With swift processing times, these tests deliver reliable outcomes, making them indispensable for organizations that value both speed and accuracy. As such, they offer an unmatched level of confidence in the selections concerning workplace safety and policy compliance.
Compliance and Assurance for Employers in Alpaugh, CA. Implementing hair follicle testing facilitates adherence to workplace drug-free protocols, helping mitigate legal challenges and promoting a safer work environment. Using this testing method delivers peace of mind in maintaining a conscientious and secure organizational culture.
