Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair, it offers a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug usage. When collected near the scalp, hair can present up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and conveniently transportable.
A 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the perfect sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those above 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not obtainable, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. For head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning covers the preliminary handling of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This step ensures that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes an initial expedited check for drug use. While it is an economical means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal validity. Samples that show presumptive positives in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample demonstrate a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen to prepare for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are drawn from hair at a much lower concentration than from other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex technique to perform.
Confirmation of any positive screen is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab process is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair strand itself rather than the hair follicle located beneath the scalp.
Choosing hair follicle testing over urine tests in East Milton, FL, reveals several advantages. The superior detection capabilities make it a preferred choice.
The key benefit of hair follicle testing in East Milton, FL is its extended detection window. Capable of detecting substance use up to 90 days prior, it offers employers a deep view into an employee’s past behavior.
One of the strengths of hair follicle tests in East Milton, FL is their tamper-resistant nature. This testing minimizes risks of sample tampering, ensuring results remain trustworthy.
With its expansive network of testing locations, East Milton, FL provides convenience in accessing hair follicle testing services. This widespread coverage makes testing simple and accessible.
The hair follicle testing process in East Milton, FL is as simple and confidential as it is effective. With straightforward ordering and delivery methods, all details remain discreet.
In East Milton, FL, hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and quick turnaround. Competitive rates and swift results add value for businesses of all sizes.
In East Milton, FL, hair follicle tests offer fast, precise, and dependable results. Speed and accuracy characterize these tests, accurately identifying substance use with minimal delay.
For employers in East Milton, FL, hair follicle testing provides assurance and compliance with drug-free policies. Utilizing this testing method helps minimize legal liabilities and fosters a safe workplace.
