Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within its growing fibers. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use for up to around 90 days. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimum amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, expanded panels, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. By head hair, we mean exclusively scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of a specimen within a lab's framework. It entails validating the seal and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial expedited analysis for drugs of abuse. While screening is a cost-effective means to eliminate drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screening result must be verified for court admissibility. Any samples that show presumptive positivity during screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
If a sample demonstrates a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is collected from the original specimen for the Extraction process. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered a complex methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the hair follicle located beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Meiners Oaks, CA surpasses urine analysis by offering unparalleled detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests are commonplace, hair tests provide a broader detection window and are less susceptible to tampering. This enhanced reliability makes it an indispensable choice for employers committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace, delivering unequivocal assurance in the test outcomes.
Employers in Meiners Oaks, CA benefit significantly from the hair follicle test’s extended detection window. Capable of identifying drug use for up to 90 days, this testing method furnishes employers with invaluable insights into an applicant or current employee's drug history. Such comprehensive evaluation ensures informed decision-making and upholds workplace safety and integrity over an extended period.
The reliability of hair follicle testing in Meiners Oaks, CA is bolstered by its resistance to tampering. Unlike urine tests, which may be susceptible to adulteration, hair tests ensure authenticity of the sample. This testing method minimizes the potential for cheating, providing employers and legal authorities with dependable and uncontestable results, thereby upholding rigorous testing standards.
Accessibility to testing services is a priority in Meiners Oaks, CA, through our convenient network of nationwide testing centers. Clients benefit from swift and hassle-free service, ensuring essential testing requirements are met with ease. This vast network supports individuals and organizations, guaranteeing efficient, localized access to drug testing solutions, thus streamlining processes and minimizing disruptions.
The drug testing process in Meiners Oaks, CA is made simple and confidential, assuring clients of their privacy every step of the way. From ordering the test, undergoing testing, to receiving results, our structured process is designed with ease and discretion in mind. This ensures that individuals can confidently obtain the necessary information without concern for privacy breaches.
In Meiners Oaks, CA, our drug testing services are characterized by both affordability and speed. Competitive pricing models cater to companies of all sizes, offering excellent value. Coupled with fast turnaround times, these services provide organizations with timely results, facilitating swift decision-making and reinforcing peace of mind through cost-effective solutions.
In Meiners Oaks, CA, hair follicle drug tests offer rapid, precise, and dependable outcomes. Their advanced technology excels in identifying substance use with exceptional accuracy. This method’s proficiency in recognizing trace substances sets a high standard for reliability, ensuring crucial decisions are based on trustworthy information. Hair tests streamline the verification process, reducing wait times, and delivering prompt results.
For Meiners Oaks, CA employers, hair follicle testing guarantees compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By implementing this robust testing method, companies reduce legal risks associated with employee substance abuse and enhance overall workplace safety. The assurance of accurate, tamper-resistant results enables employers to maintain peace of mind and fosters a productive and secure working environment.
