Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
With hair testing being recognized as a significant measure for identifying drug and alcohol use, its fibers capture biomarkers, offering a comprehensive view over time. Hair collected from the scalp can give insights into drug and alcohol consumption for up to three months. Its collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and transportation is simple.
A sample that consists of 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands, comparable to a #2 pencil, provides 100mg, which is perfect for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing. If the scalp hair is not feasible, equivalent body hair may be gathered. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair includes hair from other parts such as the face or armpits.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning integrates the sample initially into the lab’s system. This stage ensures the sample is correctly sealed and transported, attaches a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any data gaps not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening executes an initial, rapid check for substances of abuse. Although cost-efficient for ruling out drug usage in most samples, any positive result in Screening requires confirmation for court admissibility. Presumptive positives necessitate a confirmatory check.
Presumptive positives from Screening need more hair from the original specimen for Extraction, where drugs are drawn from the hair at lower concentrations compared to methods like urine or saliva, thus making hair drug screening more complex.
Confirmation of positive screenings is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positives undergo washing if necessary. CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards guide the entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although sometimes termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair Follicle Testing Advantages in Coultervillle, CA
Hair testing outshines conventional urine tests through superior detection accuracy and consistency. While urine tests are limited to recent usage, hair tests provide insight into drug use over months, offering a more comprehensive substance history, which is critical for employers and law enforcement.
Prolonged Detection Period in Coultervillle, CA
Unlike shorter-term testing methods, hair follicle tests offer up to a 90-day window for drug detection. This prolonged period enables employers to gain a more accurate picture of an individual's drug history, aiding in informed decision-making in hiring or maintaining workplace integrity.
Secure Testing Approach in Coultervillle, CA
Hair follicle tests are highly resistant to tampering, ensuring the reliability of the sample. This robust characteristic minimizes the risk of adulteration, making hair tests a dependable choice for organizations seeking unquestioned integrity in their testing procedures.
Accessible Test Centers in Coultervillle, CA
Our widespread network of testing centers simplifies the procedure, providing easy access locally and nationally. This convenience ensures that individuals and organizations can quickly and effortlessly engage in necessary testing without hassle, promoting efficient process flows.
Efficient and Confidential Protocol in Coultervillle, CA
The process for ordering and performing hair follicle tests is straightforward and respects privacy. From initial ordering to receiving results, every step is designed with confidentiality and simplicity in mind, alleviating any worries surrounding personal information security.
Cost-Effective Solutions and Prompt Delivery in Coultervillle, CA
Our competitive pricing and swift result delivery offer outstanding value for businesses of all scales. These services are tailored to ensure affordability while providing the peace of mind associated with quality testing and rapid acquisition of results.
Swift and Trustworthy Results in Coultervillle, CA
Hair follicle drug testing offers unparalleled precision and rapid turnaround times. These tests are especially effective at identifying substance use, providing accurate and reliable outcomes faster than many traditional methods, thus ensuring prompt decision-making for individuals and organizations alike.
Employer Assurance and Policy Compliance in Coultervillle, CA
Incorporating hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating potential legal issues and boosting safety standards. Employers enjoy peace of mind knowing their protocols align with the highest standards of substance use detection.
