Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective mechanism for uncovering drug and alcohol usage. Hair strands capture biomarkers within their fibers, chronicling a long-term record of substance usage. When cut close to the scalp, hair samples can potentially offer a detection window extending up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches from approximately 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields around 100mg of hair, an ideal quantity for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen totaling 150mg is advisable. It is beneficial to measure the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is missing, an equivalent volume of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" refers only to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results generally consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is processed into the lab’s system. This phase includes affirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts a preliminary examination for potential drug use. While Screening is a cost-effective measure to rule out drug use for most samples, positive results require confirmation for legal admissibility. Any sample that tests presumptive positive in Screening must proceed to a secondary confirmation.
If a presumptive positive indication arises during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction stage. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at substantially lower concentrations than other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which accounts for the complexity of performing hair drug screening.
Positive results from Screening undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before Confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed if necessary. Every aspect of the laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though commonly dubbed as "hair follicle tests", the actual test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Jacumba Hot Springs, CA highlights the advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine methods. Superior detection accuracy allows hair testing to provide dependable and reliable results. The extended timeframe of detectable substance use offers detailed insights into the user's history, setting hair testing apart from the limited urine test window.
In Jacumba Hot Springs, CA, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing stands out, capturing drug use over an impressive 90-day period. This longer timeframe gives employers a thorough overview of an individual's substance history, aiding them in making well-informed decisions concerning future hires and current staff evaluations.
Hair follicle testing in Jacumba Hot Springs, CA offers a tamper-resistant method, minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. This testing approach guarantees reliable results by practically eliminating opportunities for manipulation. Employers benefit from this assurance, receiving accurate, unaltered findings critical for maintaining a drug-free work environment.
In Jacumba Hot Springs, CA, and across the nation, testing locations provide convenient access to hair follicle testing services. The widespread availability of centers ensures a hassle-free experience for individuals requiring tests, making it straightforward to maintain compliance in the workplace with quick and easy test accessibility from coast to coast.
Jacumba Hot Springs, CA offers a simple and confidential hair follicle testing process. Order placement, test taking, and result retrieval are streamlined, securing privacy at each step. This ease conveys peace of mind to clients, assuring them that their data is safeguarded while facilitating an efficient testing experience.
In Jacumba Hot Springs, CA, hair follicle testing is known for its affordable pricing and swift turnaround. Our competitive price structure and quick result delivery present exceptional value to businesses of all sizes. Companies appreciate the combination of cost-effectiveness and efficiency, ensuring they receive not only savings but also reliable results without delay.
In Jacumba Hot Springs, CA, hair follicle drug testing boasts impressive precision and rapid results. Their high accuracy ensures accurate detection of substance use, making them superior in situations requiring detailed insights into workplace safety and compliance. The method's efficacy is a crucial reason why employers opt for it over traditional testing approaches.
Employers in Jacumba Hot Springs, CA turn to hair follicle testing for compliance and peace of mind. By integrating this testing into their policies, companies adhere to drug-free workplace standards, mitigate legal risks, and enhance overall safety. The robust accuracy of hair testing is instrumental in fulfilling these compliance requirements efficiently.
