Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying substance use, encompassing drugs and alcohol. The hair strands capture and retain markers over time within their fibers, offering an extended historical record of substance exposure. Sampling hair close to the scalp grants a drug and alcohol detection capability of up to three months. Collecting hair samples is straightforward, with a reduced risk of tampering, and facilitates easy transportation.
A snippet of 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil's diameter) positioned nearest to the scalp, equates to 100mg of hair, which is optimal for analysis and verification purposes. For EtG assays, supplementary tests, or analyses extending beyond ten substances, a 150mg quantity is advocated. Utilizing a jeweler's scale to measure the sample is suggested. Should scalp hair be absent, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. The term 'head hair' exclusively refers to scalp hair, while 'body hair' encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four crucial phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary phase where a sample is incorporated into the laboratory's system. It involves ensuring proper sealing and shipment of the sample, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any outstanding data input absent from an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening performs an initial, rapid assessment for drug presence. Though Screening offers a cost-efficient method to exclude drug intake in most cases, a positive screen must be verified for legal acceptability. Those samples yielding a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate additional confirmation.
Upon detecting a presumptive positive during Screening, further hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. This involves isolating drugs from hair at markedly reduced concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug analysis is notably complex.
The Confirmation phase for any positive screening findings employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. Presumptive positive samples undergo a washing process prior to confirmation, as required. The complete laboratory testing procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation, alongside compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", these evaluations scrutinize the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the skin.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in San Antonio, CO
Hair follicle testing offers superior detection compared to traditional urine tests. The main benefit is its extended detection window, capturing substance use up to 90 days back, unlike urine which has a shorter detection period. Additionally, hair tests are nearly impossible to tamper with, ensuring reliable results.
The Extended Detection Window of hair follicle testing in San Antonio, CO, is a standout feature for employers seeking a comprehensive analysis of substance use history. This testing can detect drug usage from up to 90 days prior, offering insight into long-term patterns, which is invaluable for applicant and employee assessments.
Tamper-resistant Testing Method in San Antonio, CO, showcases the security of hair follicle tests. Unlike other methods, hair testing significantly minimizes the risk of adulteration. This resistance to tampering means results are unquestionably reliable, providing peace of mind and confidence in the testing outcomes.
With Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and local options in San Antonio, CO, accessing hair follicle testing services is hassle-free. Our broader network ensures testing accessibility wherever needed, providing a streamlined approach to drug testing that is both quick and easy for all involved.
In San Antonio, CO, our Simple, Confidential Process for hair follicle testing makes the experience stress-free. The straightforward procedures from ordering to receiving results assure privacy and user accessibility, addressing any confidentiality concerns head-on and emphasizing ease of use throughout the process.
With Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in San Antonio, CO, our hair follicle testing offers remarkable value. Our competitive pricing structures combined with short processing times guarantee excellent service to companies of all sizes, allowing for financial efficiency alongside rapid delivery of reliable results.
In San Antonio, CO, obtaining fast, accurate, and reliable results from hair follicle drug tests is a significant advantage. These tests are renowned for their high precision in identifying substance use, providing results swiftly and efficiently.
Precision and Speed in these tests ensure that anyone requiring substantiation for drug use gets data that is rich in accuracy and delivered expediently.
Using hair follicle testing in San Antonio, CO, provides Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers. Ensuring alignment with drug-free workplace policies reduces legal liabilities and enhances workplace safety. Employers can trust the thoroughness and reliability of this testing method in maintaining compliance and fostering a secure work environment.
