Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Utilizing hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture and store drug and alcohol biomarkers over time, providing a comprehensive history of use as the hair grows. When procured with proximity to the scalp, hair can offer insights into drug and alcohol use for nearly three months. Collection is straightforward, manipulation is challenging, and transport is uncomplicated.
A sample length of 1.5 inches comprising approximately 200 hair strands (about the girth of a #2 pencil) near the scalp equates to 100mg, the optimal amount for initial and confirmatory analyses. For EtG, additional panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advocated. We advise weighing the sample with a jeweler's scale. In instances where scalp hair is inaccessible, a comparable volume of body hair may be utilized. References to head hair are specific to scalp hair solely, whereas body hair denotes all other types (including facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary segments in the laboratory's analysis of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the sample's initial integration into the lab's procedures. This step verifies correct sealing and shipping, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplementary data input absent in an electronic chain of custody record.
Screening involves a swift preliminary analysis for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug presence in the majority of samples, confirmatory evidence is mandatory for legal proceedings. Samples flagged as potentially positive during Screening necessitate an additional level of confirmation.
Should a sample demonstrate a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations significantly lower than in other techniques (such as urine or saliva testing), rendering hair drug testing one of the more challenging methodologies.
The Confirmation of positive results is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every sample shown as presumptive positive undergoes washing before Confirmation as necessary. The full lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The test, occasionally termed as "hair follicle tests", actually examines the hair strand, not the subcutaneous hair follicle.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Branford, CT is clear: hair tests provide a significantly better detection accuracy and reliability compared to urine tests, due to their longer detection period and difficult-to-tamper nature, making them the preferred choice for a comprehensive substance use history.
Extended Detection Window in Branford, CT is a key advantage of hair follicle testing. It offers a detection window of up to 90 days, allowing employers to gain a thorough understanding of a person's substance usage over time, which is more informative than short-term methods.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Branford, CT features prominently in hair follicle testing. This method is designed to dramatically cut down any possibility of sample tampering, offering results that are trustworthy and definitive.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Branford, CT ensure seamless access to testing services. With our extensive network of testing centers, getting tested is promptly accessible and hassle-free.
Simple, Confidential Process in Branford, CT guarantees ease and privacy. From order to results, each step is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns and offering peace of mind.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Branford, CT provide competitive value. Our pricing structure and swift results offer cost-effective solutions for businesses, delivering confidence and reliability efficiently.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Branford, CT highlight the precision of hair follicle tests. With rapid turnaround times, these tests offer unrivaled accuracy in detecting drug use, making them a superior option for employers seeking reliable screening methods.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Branford, CT is achieved through hair follicle testing. This method not only aligns with workplace drug regulations, reducing associated liabilities, but also enhances overall workplace safety and integrity.
