Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term substance use history by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the evolving hair strand. When procured close to the scalp, hair can furnish up to about a 3-month detection frame for alcohol and other substances. It is straightforward to collect hair specimens, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A segment of hair 1.5 inches long consisting of roughly 200 strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the prime sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests that exceed 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. The term "head hair" pertains solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" denotes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four critical stages in the laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s system. This process ensures the sample was securely sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addresses any supplemental data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial expedient assessment for detecting drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to ensure court admissibility. All samples that test presumptively positive during Screening demand secondary confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening level, additional hair is extracted from the original sample to prepare for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug testing is the most complex methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the underlying hair follicle.
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Linda, CA, offers significant advantages. Superior detection and reliability are key features that make hair testing preferable.
The efficacy of hair testing benefits employers seeking stringent adherence to workplace policies.
More accurate in retrospect of identifying drug usage patterns, these tests outshine urine testing, which is primarily suited for recent use verification.
One of the substantial benefits of hair follicle testing in Linda, CA, is its extended detection window. Capable of identifying drug use for up to 90 days:
This extended timeline surpasses what urine tests offer, painting a fuller picture of an individual's substance usage.
From the perspective of both employers and health professionals, this capability is invaluable.
Hair follicle testing in Linda, CA, significantly reduces tampering risks, offering a method that is difficult to adulterate. This reliability stems from:
For ensuring genuine results, this test is favored for its inherent tamper-resistant nature. Employers and legal entities appreciate the certainty and security these tests provide.
With convenient nationwide facilities, accessing hair follicle testing in Linda, CA, and beyond is made simple.
Our broad availability translates to minimal disruption in scheduling for both individuals and businesses. The ease of access provides peace of mind, knowing testing services are consistently close at hand.
Our testing process in Linda, CA, prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality, ensuring ease of use for all participants.
These elements are designed to protect participant privacy while maintaining a straightforward service. Addressing confidentiality concerns head-on ensures not only accuracy but trust in our testing service.
In Linda, CA, hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and swift turnaround, delivering exceptional value.
Our competitive pricing enables businesses to adopt our services without budgetary strain. Coupled with fast result processing, they offer a cost-effective, reliable testing choice.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests in Linda, CA, provide unparalleled efficiency. Accuracy is paramount when assessing substance use, and hair testing stands out in this regard.
Employing advanced techniques, these tests detect substance traces more efficiently than other methods.
Fast and trustworthy, they offer employers confidence in the evaluation process, contributing to more informed decisions regarding employee suitability.
Ensuring compliance and peace of mind, hair follicle testing in Linda, CA, assists employers with adhering to drug-free workplace policies effectively:
Employers find themselves free from the burden of potential legal challenges when utilizing reliable testing procedures.
The added assurance of compliance translates into a more secure work environment.
