Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture biomarkers within their fibers, providing an extended timeline of substance use. Sampling hair near the scalp can reveal drug or alcohol use over approximately 90 days. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is convenient.
A sample size of 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp is needed to achieve 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, it's advisable to use 150mg of the sample. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale ensures accurate measurement. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The primary stages in processing a laboratory drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory’s system. This phase ensures the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplemental data entry lacking from an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While this cost-efficient step can often rule out drug use in many samples, any positive findings during this phase must be validated to be court admissible. Samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive at the Screening stage, more hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. This involves extracting drugs from hair at concentrations far lower than in alternative techniques (like urine or oral fluid), making hair screening methodologies among the most intricate.
Drugs identified during the Screening phase undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples with presumptive positives are cleaned before proceeding to confirmation as required. The entire sequence from Accessioning through to Confirmation is evaluated according to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Calexico, CA, opting for hair follicle tests over urine testing demonstrates their superior attributes. With unmatched accuracy and reliability, hair tests stand out due to a longer detection window and resistance to deceitful maneuvers.
Extended Detection Window
In Calexico, CA, hair follicle testing boasts an extraordinary capacity to reveal drug use stretching up to 90 days. This lengthy timeframe provides employers with a clear reflection of a participant's substance history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
The robustness of hair follicle testing in Calexico, CA, defends against tampering attempts. These tests nearly eliminate sample adulteration, preserving the integrity and reliability of outcomes.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
In Calexico, CA, we emphasize testing accessibility via our extensive network of nationwide centers, alongside local facilities ensuring a swift and seamless experience.
Simple, Confidential Process
Calexico, CA, ensures an efficient testing journey, with an emphasis on privacy from order placement to result reception. The process supports users seeking streamlined and secure experiences.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Our competitive costing in Calexico, CA, grants affordable pricing structures along with rapid turnaround times. Firms benefit from remarkable value, enabling swift decisions based on trusted results.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Calexico, CA, hair follicle drug tests are known for their powerful reliability and precision. Their rapid processing times ensure swift outcomes. Compared to other methods, they shine in both speed and accuracy, offering results that individuals and businesses can trust without delay.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Calexico, CA, businesses implementing hair follicle testing see enhanced adherence to drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks and ensuring safety. This choice bolsters employer confidence in compliance and risk reduction.