Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair testing is now recognized as an efficient mechanism for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair functions as a record keeper for long-term drug and alcohol history by embedding biomarkers within the fiber of the hair as it grows. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection range of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. It's easy to collect hair samples, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
Collecting a 1.5-inch sample of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield around 100mg of hair, noted as the perfect sample size for both screening and confirmation. To test for EtG, additional parameters, and/or more than 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to measure the hair sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, an equal quantity of body hair can be used instead. In discussions of head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair pertains to all other hair classes (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The core phases in laboratory processing for drug testing results encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the inception stage where a sample is integrated into a lab's system. This step includes confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening is a preliminary concise evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although screening is economical for excluding drug usage across most samples, any positive screening outcomes must be validated to stand in legal proceedings. Samples showing presumptive positives during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample displays presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is pulled and prepared for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening as one of the more complex methodologies.
Positive screening confirmations are conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo cleansing before confirmation as required. The full lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is ISO / IEC 17025 standards accredited.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While colloquially called "hair follicle tests", in reality, the test analyzes the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp
In Richfield, CA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing by offering superior detection capabilities. Hair testing can identify substance use over a longer period, providing a more comprehensive overview of an individual's drug history. While urine tests are common, hair tests demonstrate greater accuracy and reliability, especially crucial for employers seeking thorough substance screening.
Hair follicle testing in Richfield, CA, provides an extended detection window, offering insights into drug use spanning up to 90 days. This method reveals a more thorough substance history for individuals, helping employers make informed decisions about potential or current employees. Such a broad detection period proves invaluable for maintaining a drug-free workplace.
Richfield, CA, benefits from the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing. This method significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring results that are both reliable and unquestionable. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests offer a higher guarantee of authenticity, providing results that can be trusted without doubt.
Richfield, CA, is well-served by our convenient nationwide and local testing centers, offering accessible and hassle-free hair follicle testing services. Our extensive network ensures that individuals can easily access the necessary testing facilities, reducing waiting times and providing a swift and seamless testing experience.
The hair follicle testing procedure in Richfield, CA, is straightforward and maintains confidentiality from start to finish. Ordering, testing, and result retrieval are designed to respect privacy while ensuring ease of use. This approach alleviates concerns about data protection and offers a worry-free process.
Richfield, CA, clients benefit from our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing. Providing excellent value, our services are designed to cater to companies of all sizes, offering substantial savings while ensuring timely and reliable drug testing results. This balance of affordability and speed supports informed decision-making.
In Richfield, CA, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its precision and swift results. This test excels in identifying substance use with high accuracy. The meticulous process of analyzing hair strands ensures that the results are both dependable and delivered quickly. This level of accuracy makes hair follicle testing a preferred choice for those in need of reliable drug detection solutions.
Employers in Richfield, CA, find peace of mind through hair follicle testing, which ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By minimizing legal risks and promoting a safe work environment, hair testing supports businesses in maintaining high standards of safety and compliance. It safeguards both the employer and their workforce.
