Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now regarded as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and confirmations. For EtG, additional tests, or those beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It is recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, the same amount of body hair might be used instead. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (like facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four pivotal steps in processing a drug test result in the lab: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial intake of a sample into the laboratory’s database. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, generates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not covered by an electronic custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary check for the presence of drugs. While Screening offers a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive result must be confirmed for legal purposes. Samples yielding a presumptive positive during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
Should a sample show a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex methodology to execute.
Confirmation for any positive screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.
Hair follicle testing emerges as a superior method compared to more traditional urine testing in Florida Ridge, FL. The benefits of hair testing include enhanced detection accuracy and reliability, making it a preferred choice for employers seeking comprehensive drug screening.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Florida Ridge, FL allows for identifying drug use over a broad period, as long as 90 days. This expansive timeframe offers employers an in-depth look at an applicant's or employee's substance history, promoting informed hiring decisions.
Hair follicle tests in Florida Ridge, FL are an excellent tamper-resistant testing method. With reduced risk of sample adulteration, these tests provide reliable and undisputable results, ensuring a trustworthy drug testing process for businesses and professionals alike.
In Florida Ridge, FL, the convenience of testing is accentuated by our numerous nationwide testing centers. This widespread availability ensures a quick and effortless testing experience, facilitating easy access to reliable drug testing services.
In Florida Ridge, FL, ordering, taking, and receiving results from a hair follicle test remains simple and confidential. Our streamlined process addresses privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use and peace of mind for clients.
Our drug testing services in Florida Ridge, FL offer affordable pricing coupled with swift turnaround times. Companies of all sizes can benefit from our competitive pricing structures and the value and reassurance they provide.
Hair follicle drug testing in Florida Ridge, FL provides fast and accurate assessments. With a focus on precision, hair tests deliver high accuracy in identifying substance use. This thoroughness makes hair testing a highly reliable method for companies needing dependable drug use data.
Employers in Florida Ridge, FL can achieve compliance and peace of mind using hair follicle drug testing. By enforcing drug-free workplace policies, companies diminish legal risks and enhance safety, facilitated by the dependable nature of hair testing.
