Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examination has become recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands trap biomarkers within their fibers over time, offering an extended history of substance intake. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use over a period of up to three months. It is easy to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to mail.
A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) located nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to acquire 150mg of the sample. We suggest assessing the specimen's weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent portion of body hair may be collected. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory drug test results process involves four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning constitutes the preliminary task of entering a sample into a laboratory's framework. This step includes checking that the sample is sealed and posted correctly, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any necessary data input that an electronic chain of custody system doesn't cover.
Screening is a fast initial evaluation to identify drugs of abuse. Screening is an economical approach for excluding drug use from most samples; however, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in a legal setting. Samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate a further confirmation procedure.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample and prepped for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to alternative techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is notably challenging to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screen result is accomplished with methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples with presumptive positive outcomes are washed as required. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Smartsville, CA: Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle drug tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability.
Extended Detection Window in Smartsville, CA: Hair follicle testing offers a far-reaching detection window, identifying drug use for up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe provides employers with a clearer overview of an individual’s substance history, ensuring informed decision-making based on comprehensive data.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Smartsville, CA: Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the chance of sample adulteration. The testing method ensures reliable and unquestionable results, promoting confidence among employers and individuals seeking accurate drug use information.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Smartsville, CA: Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide guarantees accessible and convenient services. Local facilities in Smartsville ensure that testing is quick, easy, and hassle-free, meeting both individual and organizational needs effortlessly.
This ease of access simplifies the testing process.
Simple, Confidential Process in Smartsville, CA: Our streamlined, confidential approach to drug testing facilitates privacy and ease of use. With straightforward procedures for ordering, taking tests, and receiving results, we address privacy concerns effectively, ensuring a stress-free experience for all involved.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Smartsville, CA: Our competitive pricing coupled with rapid turnaround times promises excellent value. We aim to deliver peace of mind to businesses across sizes by providing cost-effective and timely drug testing services, ensuring efficiency without compromising quality.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Smartsville, CA: Hair follicle drug tests provide precision and speed, ensuring highly accurate substance detection. This method is ideal for those requiring quick and trustworthy results, confirming the presence of drugs effectively.
Such testing ensures reliability, allowing individuals and organizations to be assured of the results obtained.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Smartsville, CA: Hair follicle testing aligns with workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks. This method fosters a safer work environment, providing employers with the reassurance of compliance and boosting confidence in workforce management.
