Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Utilizing hair testing is now recognized as a potent technique for detecting the use of alcohol and drugs. Hair retains a prolonged record of drug and alcohol consumption by capturing biomarkers within its growing strand. When harvested near the scalp, hair can reflect substance use for up to a quarter of the year. It’s straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample composed of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, add-ons, or tests that exceed 10 panels, 150mg is preferable. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, the same amount of body hair is usable. When head hair is mentioned, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (like facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The procedure for laboratory processing of drug test results consists of four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase of integrating a sample into the laboratory’s system. This comprises ensuring the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a swift initial assessment for substances of abuse. While it’s an economical means to disprove drug usage for most samples, positives from this stage require confirmation for judicial admissibility. Presumptive positives identified in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
In cases of presumptive positives during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. In this step, the drug is isolated from the hair at concentrations lower than other methods (like urine or saliva), posing a challenge for hair drug testing.
Confirmation of any initial positives is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are washed if necessary before confirmation. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized and aligned with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual assessment is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the skin.
In Bermuda Dunes, CA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine testing through its superior detection capabilities. Hair tests provide a broader detection range and deliver more reliable outcomes. While urine tests remain the norm, hair tests offer a longer observation window, ensuring employers receive a more thorough understanding of potential drug use histories.
Employers seeking comprehensive substance histories in Bermuda Dunes, CA, can rely on hair follicle testing's extended detection window. With the ability to detect drug use up to 90 days prior, hair tests give a detailed view of an individual's drug use over time, offering invaluable insight for making informed hiring and policy decisions.
Hair follicle testing in Bermuda Dunes, CA, significantly curtails sample tampering risks by providing a tamper-resistant method. This testing process ensures that results are accurate and trustworthy, giving employers confidence in the authenticity and integrity of the substance test outcome.
Testing convenience is a reality in Bermuda Dunes, CA, thanks to our widespread network of testing centers. Whether you need testing locally or across the nation, our centers provide fast, accessible services to meet your testing requirements with minimal hassle and maximum efficiency.
In Bermuda Dunes, CA, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and private. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step is designed to respect confidentiality and simplicity. This ensures that clients encounter no barriers in accessing and understanding their testing outcomes.
Cost-effective pricing and rapid turnaround are at the forefront of our services in Bermuda Dunes, CA. We offer competitive rates while delivering swift test results, ensuring value and peace of mind for businesses of all sizes, facilitating informed decisions without financial strain.
The hair follicle drug test in Bermuda Dunes, CA offers unparalleled precision and rapid outcomes. This method excels in pinpointing the presence of substances, providing employers with highly accurate results. With a focus on speed and reliability, hair follicle tests ensure that substance-related queries are addressed swiftly, maintaining safety and productivity in the workplace.
Adopting hair follicle testing within Bermuda Dunes, CA, workplaces bolsters compliance with drug-free policies while granting employers peace of mind. This testing method reduces legal liabilities and enhances overall workplace safety, ensuring adherence to established standards and improving operational security.