Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands offer a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken close to the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use for up to about three months. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, collecting 150mg of hair is advised. It's best to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively, while body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Drug testing in the lab involves four essential steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first phase, where a sample is integrated into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any missing data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary and swift assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is an economical means to eliminate drug usage from most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be court-admissible. Thus, any sample with a presumptive positive in Screening mandates a subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methods to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening involves using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positives undergo washing if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
The advantages of hair follicle drug testing over urine tests in Redlands, CO are significant. Detection accuracy and reliability are the highlights that make hair testing a preferred choice. With a longer detection window and resistance to common cheating methods, employers and agencies find it a powerful tool in maintaining compliance.
Hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days, a valuable asset for employers in Redlands, CO. This thorough detection capability grants a detailed view of an individual’s substance use history, exceeding the limitations of traditional tests.
Hair follicle tests significantly bolster testing integrity due to their tamper-resistant nature in Redlands, CO. By dramatically lowering the risk of sample adulteration, these tests secure dependable, accurate results that support workplace safety and legal compliance.
Convenience is key with our nationwide testing centers, including those in Redlands, CO. Quick, straightforward access to testing services ensures your program runs efficiently, providing your team with a hassle-free experience.
The hair follicle testing process remains simple and confidential in Redlands, CO. From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed to be straightforward while maintaining your privacy and ease of access.
Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, our hair follicle testing in Redlands, CO presents an attractive option for businesses of any size. Balancing cost with speed, we provide exceptional value to our clients.
Hair follicle drug testing in Redlands, CO is renowned for its precision in spotting substance use. Speed and accuracy go hand in hand, ensuring you receive reliable results every time. This method delivers a higher degree of detection accuracy, helping to maintain workplace safety and integrity.
Implementing hair follicle testing for compliance ensures peace of mind for employers in Redlands, CO. By supporting drug-free workplace policies, these tests aid in minimizing legal risks while promoting a safe, productive environment.
