Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair traps biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand, offering a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug use. When collected near the scalp, it provides a detection timeline of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample, comprised of about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil), closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for both analysis and confirmation. For EtG, add-on tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It is advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. By "head hair," we mean scalp hair solely, whereas "body hair" includes all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result entails four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This entails confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data input not furnished by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary and rapid evaluation for abusive substances. While Screening is an economical method for ruling out drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening demand further confirmation.
If a sample registers as presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. In this phase, drugs are separated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening one of the most complex methods to execute.
Confirmation for any screening result tested positive is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing demonstrates its superiority over conventional urine tests by offering benefits rooted in superior detection accuracy and overall dependability. In Grenada, CA, this testing method catches the attention of employers due to its extended accuracy window. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis captures a three-month history, making it ideal for enforcing workplace drug policies.
When it comes to examining cumulative drug use, hair follicle testing truly shines with its extended detection window. In Grenada, CA, employers harness this method for its capability to trace drug use up to 90 days prior, providing a robust view of an employee or applicant's substance usage patterns. This extended window ensures informed decision-making during hiring or routine checks.
In Grenada, CA, hair follicle tests are touted for their resistance to common tampering methods, offering reliable and unquestionable results. The supervised collection process ensures the integrity of the sample, markedly reducing the risks associated with sample adulteration, which is more prevalent in alternate testing methods like those relying on urine.
Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenience through our nationwide testing centers, including locations in Grenada, CA. Those needing testing services benefit from the quick, simple, and seamless access provided by these centers, mitigating the hassle often associated with organizing and attending a testing appointment through an expansive network.
In Grenada, CA, engaging in hair follicle testing involves a straightforward and confidential process. Ordering, undergoing, and receiving test results maintains a focus on privacy and ease of use. This simplicity in process supports individuals who prioritize confidentiality and convenience, resolving any right-to-privacy concerns efficiently.
Presenting competitive pricing alongside quick result turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Grenada, CA, is both cost-effective and dependable. These services cater to businesses of all sizes, providing excellent value while ensuring peace of mind through prompt result delivery without inflated costs, reinforcing financial sensibility.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests set them apart when it comes to securing reliable outcomes. In Grenada, CA, individuals can count on this method's high level of accuracy in identifying substance use, significantly reducing erroneous results. This heightened accuracy stems from the test's ability to capture comprehensive data over an extended timeline, providing fast and conclusive answers.
Employers in Grenada, CA, gain peace of mind and ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies by utilizing hair follicle testing. This method of testing supports the enhancement of workplace safety, minimizes legal risks, and upholds the standards expected in maintaining a drug-free environment through its accuracy and deterrent potential.
