Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The reputation of hair analysis as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption has grown significantly. Hair can capture a longitudinal record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the hair fiber as it grows. When obtained at the root, hair can offer a detection period extending up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, somewhat tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches and containing about 200 strands (about the girth of a #2 pencil) is optimal, yielding 100mg of hair, which is ideal for evaluation and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, it is advised to collect 150mg of the specimen. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for precise specimen measurement. If scalp hair is not available, a corresponding volume of body hair may be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The main steps in analyzing a drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the process where a sample is initially integrated into the laboratory's system. This step involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is an initial rapid evaluation for drug abuse. Although it serves as a cost-saving method to rule out drug use in the majority of cases, a positive result in Screening must be validated for legal acceptance. Samples that test positive in Screening warrant a detailed follow-up confirmation.
Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample to prepare for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted at lower concentrations from hair than from other specimens (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging approach to conduct.
Confirmation of a positive outcome involves methodologies such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed as necessary before confirmation. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Elkhorn, CA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests with superior detection capabilities. Hair testing provides a broader window of detection, capturing substance use over extended periods, unlike urine tests that offer a shorter detection span.
Compared to urine testing, hair analysis offers more reliable and accurate results. This greater precision makes hair follicle tests an advantageous option for employers and institutions seeking thorough assessments.
With a detection window stretching up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Elkhorn, CA offers a detailed overview of an individual's substance use history. This allows employers a comprehensive assessment of potential employees.
The prolonged detection period of hair follicle tests in Elkhorn, CA does not only offer a retrospective view over three months but also furnishes employers with critical information about ongoing substance use trends, fostering informed decision-making.
In Elkhorn, CA, hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant method that considerably lowers the chances of sample adulteration. The robust nature of hair samples means they provide undeniable and credible results.
This method's resistance to tampering in Elkhorn, CA ensures that the results are trustworthy and authentic, thereby setting the standard for reliable testing processes across the board.
With nationwide testing centers, including convenient local sites in Elkhorn, CA, accessing hair follicle testing is hassle-free. Our centers offer accessible and efficient testing solutions for individuals and companies.
The widespread availability of testing locations across Elkhorn, CA ensures that scheduling and attending a test is a simple and quick process for all potential clients, reducing logistical burdens.
In Elkhorn, CA, the hair follicle testing process is designed to remain simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, we ensure that client privacy and ease of use are maintained throughout.
Ensuring confidentiality while providing straightforward testing protocols, our services in Elkhorn, CA aim to alleviate privacy concerns through comprehensive yet accessible testing solutions.
Our hair follicle testing services in Elkhorn, CA boast competitive pricing structures, offering value and quick turnaround times. This allows companies of all sizes to avail affordable drug testing solutions.
With fast, reliable, and cost-effective services tailored for Elkhorn, CA, our testing offerings ensure businesses receive swift and comprehensive results that align with their financial considerations.
In Elkhorn, CA, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision ensures that even the smallest traces of substance use are detected, providing unmatched accuracy compared to other testing types.
Results from hair follicle testing are not only precise but are also generated swiftly. This efficiency benefits employers who require rapid determinations of an employee's or applicant's substance use history.
Employers in Elkhorn, CA benefit from the use of hair follicle testing as it ensures compliance with drug-free policies while minimizing legal repercussions. This method enhances workplace safety with more robust and reliable screening.
The adoption of hair follicle testing in Elkhorn, CA empowers businesses to maintain an environment in line with safety regulations, granting them peace of mind and legal security by adhering to stringent corporate policies.
