Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assessments have increasingly gained recognition as a potent means to identify substance and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers in the fibers of the emerging hair shaft. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to obtain, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 strands of hair (comparable to a #2 pencil’s diameter) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for examination and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or testing exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advisable. We suggest determining the specimen's weight on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. When referring to head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four principal stages involved in the laboratory analysis of a drug testing outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample into the laboratory’s framework. This process consists of confirming that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective approach to exclude drug usage on most samples, a positive screen needs validation to be accepted in legal proceedings. Any samples that are tentatively positive during Screening require a follow-up confirmation.
Should a sample appear tentatively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are removed from hair at a notably lower concentration than in other procedures (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening presents the greatest challenge in execution.
Verification of any positive screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All tentatively positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand and excludes the hair follicle beneath the scalp
In Coal Creek, CO, hair follicle testing has become a preferred choice over traditional urine tests. Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy and reliability, capturing a more extended window of substance use, up to 90 days, unlike urine tests. This method reduces the possibility of tampering and circumvents the short detection challenges posed by urine tests, offering a more comprehensive evaluation of an individual's substance history.
In Coal Creek, CO, hair follicle testing is renowned for its extended detection duration, accurately identifying drug use for up to 90 days. This timeframe surpasses traditional testing methods, giving employers a comprehensive perspective of an employee or candidate's historical substance use. By providing a long-term view, hair follicle testing supports informed decision-making and promotes a drug-free workplace.
Hair follicle testing in Coal Creek, CO, is a robust technique that significantly diminishes the risk of sample manipulation. Its tamper-resistant nature ensures that the results are reliable and beyond doubt. This testing method is designed to maintain sample integrity throughout the entire process, providing credible and unquestionable outcomes every time it's applied.
Coal Creek, CO residents benefit from the convenience of Accredited's extensive network of testing centers. With locations across the country, accessing drug testing services is both quick and hassle-free. Locally, in Coal Creek, efficient and prompt testing services ensure that your needs are met with minimal disruption to your schedule, regardless of where you are.
The hair follicle testing process in Coal Creek, CO, is straightforward and private. From test ordering to sample collection and receiving results, every step is designed with confidentiality in mind. The hassle-free procedure ensures that privacy concerns are addressed, offering a user-friendly experience for individuals seeking reliable drug testing solutions.
Coal Creek, CO, employers can appreciate the competitive pricing and fast processing times of our hair follicle testing services. Designed to provide excellent value, our cost-effective pricing structures, combined with quick turnaround times, deliver peace of mind and operational efficiency for all companies, regardless of size.
Experience fast, precise, and reliable outcomes with hair follicle drug testing in Coal Creek, CO. This method offers unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance use with swift results. The robust testing process ensures the integrity and reliability of the detection methods employed. Whether for employers or individuals, the results delivered are dependable and quick, minimizing downtime and ensuring compliance.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Coal Creek, CO, offers employers compliance assurance with workplace drug-free initiatives, significantly reducing legal implications and enhancing the safety environment. The process aligns with company policies and industry standards, providing peace of mind to employers by mitigating the risks associated with substance abuse on the job.
