Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair screening has gained recognition as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands encapsulate biomarkers within their fibers, offering a long-term record of substance use. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use history extending up to 3 months. It is simple to collect, less prone to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch cut of around 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp gives 100mg of hair, optimal for both preliminary and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional screenings, or extensive tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale is suggested to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. By "head hair", only scalp hair is implied. "Body hair" indicates other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The core steps in the lab processing of drug test outcomes are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial integration of a specimen into a lab's framework. This entails ensuring the sample was sealed and shipped properly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other data input not managed by an electronic chain of custody protocol.
Screening constitutes a preliminary quick assessment for substances of abuse. Though Screening is economically effective for eliminating drug use in most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed for legal acceptability. Any samples presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If Screening yields a presumptive positive result, additional hair from the initial specimen is used for Extraction. This phase involves extracting substances from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), emphasizing why hair drug screening is the most complex method to execute.
The confirmation of any positive screen occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 criteria.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: This test is often called a "hair follicle test", although it evaluates the hair strand and not the scalp’s hair follicle.
In Barstow, CA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests. Its longer detection period identifies substance use with unmatched accuracy and reliability.
While urine tests remain common, hair testing offers a superior method in recognizing drug history over an extended duration, making it an essential tool in thorough screenings.
Hair follicle testing in Barstow, CA, offers a 90-day drug use detection period. This extensive window provides employers with a thorough overview of an individual's substance history.
Unlike urine tests, hair follicle examinations capture a broader timeframe, furnishing a comprehensive picture of past drug use.
Barstow, CA's hair follicle testing minimizes adulteration risks. This method's resistance to tampering ensures the derivation of indisputable results.
The collection process invulnerable to manipulations provides stakeholders with confidence in the accuracy and reliability of data obtained.
Our conveniently located testing centers across Barstow, CA, and nationwide simplify the process. Ensuring hassle-free access, whether local or remote, makes sample collection straightforward.
From downtown to surrounding areas, our centers are positioned for easy reach, offering quick and efficient service.
In Barstow, CA, the hair follicle testing process at Accredited Drug Testing is straightforward and confidential. It addresses privacy concerns with ease of use.
From the initial order to receiving results, every step is streamlined for simplicity, ensuring a comfortable experience for all clients.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Barstow, CA, providing excellent value for businesses of any size.
Our affordable plans and efficient test results deliver peace of mind while keeping costs manageable, fitting company budgets with ease.
Hair follicle drug testing in Barstow, CA, stands out for its precision and quick results. The method offers high accuracy, providing clear insights into substance usage, ensuring these results are both fast and reliable.
With each sample analyzed meticulously, hair follicle tests provide dependable data. This accuracy ensures employers and others can make informed decisions swiftly.
Employers in Barstow, CA, find peace in hair follicle testing, maintaining compliance with drug-free policies and enhancing workplace safety.
This method reduces legal concerns while ensuring adherence to company protocols for a safer, more compliant working environment.