Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair sampling has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Strands of hair offer an extended history of alcohol and other substances, enclosing biomarkers within the fiber of the growing strand. When taken close to the scalp, hair can provide roughly a 3-month detection window for alcohol and substances. It's easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.
A sample length of 1.5 inches, roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the size of a #2 pencil), cut nearest to the scalp will deliver 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels beyond 10, a specimen of 150mg is recommended. It's advisable to weigh the hair on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, the equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. Head hair refers solely to scalp hair, while body hair denotes other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the initial processing of a specimen into a lab's system. This step includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary check for substance abuse. While cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to stand in court. Presumptively positive samples from screening require confirmation.
If positive in Screening, an additional sample from the initial hair is prepared for Extraction. In this phase, substances are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.
Any positive screening is confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive sample undergoes washing as needed before confirmation. The entire lab operation, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
For Scotia, CA, the edge of hair follicle testing over urine testing is evident. Hair methods boast superior detection accuracy and reliability, capturing a wider window of drug use. While urine tests are limited to recent usage, hair testing thoroughly reviews a prolonged history, benefiting employers with stringent policy adherence requirements.
In Scotia, CA, hair testing's extended detection window, reaching up to 90 days, grants employers valuable insight into an individual's substance history. This lengthy detection span surpasses other tests, enabling a more comprehensive assessment of an employee or potential hire's past substance use, giving companies the means to make informed employment decisions.
Within Scotia, CA, hair follicle testing is renowned for its tamper-resistance. This method substantially curtails the likelihood of tampering or adulteration of samples, an issue more prevalent with urine tests. The integrity of hair testing methods provides reliable, unquestionable results, ensuring a trustworthy drug screening process.
Scotia, CA residents benefit from widespread, accessible testing locations. With nationwide reach alongside local centers, Accredited Drug Testing ensures stress-free accessibility to drug screening services. This network facilitates ease of testing across all regions, offering convenience for everyone.
Accredited Drug Testing in Scotia, CA, guarantees a simple and confidential testing process. The steps from ordering a test, participating, to receiving results are streamlined, safeguarding privacy and easing concerns about personal information exposure. Our services are designed with your privacy in mind.
In Scotia, CA, we provide affordable pricing and swift turnaround times. Companies of every size benefit from our competitive rates and rapid results, which offer excellent value for money, ensuring peace of mind without breaking the bank in ensuring drug-free workplace environments.
In Scotia, CA, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its precision and speed. This method accurately unveils substance use with exceptional reliability. The time-efficiency of hair testing ensures rapid processing without compromising on detail and accuracy, exceeding alternative testing methods with unmatched resolution in spotting substance traces.
For employers in Scotia, CA, compliance with workplace drug-free policies is simplified with hair follicle testing. This method helps employers maintain peace of mind and reduce legal liabilities while enhancing workplace safety by ensuring adherence to substance use regulations.
