Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period spanning up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, it's relatively tamper-resistant, and shipping is uncomplicated.
A 1.5-inch section comprising around 200 strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimum sample size for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional requirements, and/or screenings over 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not an option, a similar volume of body hair can be obtained. The term head hair pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing process in a laboratory encompasses four primary procedures: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the sample's initial handling within a lab's framework. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data input not offered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary assessment for substance abuse. Though Screening is a budget-friendly method to dismiss drug use in most cases, any positive findings must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Any samples with presumptive positive results during Screening need another confirmation step.
If a specimen shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and processed for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing one of the most challenging processes.
Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptive positive are cleansed prior to confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the standard ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests in Prospect Heights, CO, the former clearly stands out. Hair testing surpasses in detecting drug use with enhanced precision and dependability. Employers favor hair follicle testing due to its extensive detection window and robustness, ensuring superior accuracy over more conventional methods like urine testing.
Hair follicle testing in Prospect Heights, CO provides an extended drug detection window of up to 90 days. This allows employers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history, offering insights into patterns of drug consumption far beyond the capabilities of standard tests, hence empowering informed hiring and management decisions.
Hair follicle tests in Prospect Heights, CO are renowned for their resistance to tampering. These exams significantly decrease the risk of sample adulteration, offering highly dependable and uncontestable results. This tamper-resistance is a critical factor in their choice for legal and employment purposes.
With convenient testing sites nationwide, including Prospect Heights, CO, our hair follicle drug testing services are accessible and hassle-free. Offering numerous locations, we ensure a quick, straightforward experience whether locally or across the country, supporting businesses and individuals efficiently.
The process for hair follicle testing in Prospect Heights, CO is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving the results, every step is designed to be straightforward, ensuring privacy and ease of access. This approach addresses any privacy concerns while simplifying the testing experience.
With competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, drug testing in Prospect Heights, CO offers excellent value. Our hair follicle tests ensure prompt and reliable results, catering to companies of all sizes, helping to deliver cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality or speed.
Hair follicle drug tests in Prospect Heights, CO are acclaimed for their fast, accurate results. They efficiently screen for substance use, providing highly precise outcomes within a short period. This method surpasses others by delivering results quickly while maintaining high accuracy, making it a preferred choice for employers and individuals alike seeking reliable outcomes.
Employers in Prospect Heights, CO gain peace of mind and legal compliance by utilizing hair follicle tests for drug screening. This method supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, reduces legal risks, and fosters a safer work environment, ensuring a commitment to operational robustness and legal security.
