Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It delivers an extended timeline of alcohol and other drug usage by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of approximately 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample size of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. The use of a jeweler's scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparable volume of body hair may be utilized. In reference to head hair, it is exclusively scalp hair. Meanwhile, body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The process in the lab for processing a drug test outcome includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In the Accessioning phase, the sample is initially processed into the lab’s system. This entails confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
The Screening phase includes an initial rapid test for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective means to rule out substance consumption in the bulk of samples, any positive screen mandates confirmation to be acceptable in legal proceedings. Samples that show presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample appear presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration than with other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.
For any positive screen result, Confirmation is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing as required before confirmation. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab process is evaluated following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being termed as "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp
In De Soto City, FL, hair follicle testing proves superior over urine examinations in detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests quickly show recent drug use, hair tests trace substance history with greater certainty.
Employers in De Soto City, FL benefit from the extended detection capability of hair follicle testing, observing drug use history up to 90 days. This approach gives a thorough view of a candidate or employee's substance behavior over time.
Hair follicle testing significantly minimizes possibilities of adulteration, providing reliable results in De Soto City, FL. The robust testing method assures sample integrity, so results remain unquestionable and authentic.
In De Soto City, FL, our widespread testing centers offer convenience with easily accessible nationwide locations. Enjoy quick and hassle-free drug testing services wherever you are.
Our services in De Soto City, FL ensure a simple and confidential process, enhancing privacy in ordering, testing, and receiving results. The streamlined procedure keeps concerns of ease and discretion at the forefront.
Accredited Drug Testing provides cost-effective pricing and speedy turnaround times in De Soto City, FL, ensuring excellent value for all business sizes.
The hair follicle drug test provides unmatched speed and precision in identifying substance use in De Soto City, FL. With its advanced technology, it ensures high accuracy, detecting even long-term drug use with quick results.
By employing hair follicle testing in De Soto City, FL, employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, ensuring a safer environment. It reduces legal risks and fosters a secure workplace, enhancing peace of mind for all.