Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is widely recognized as a potent tool for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair chronicles a prolonged history of substance usage by embedding biomarkers within the strands of ongoing hair growth. When clipped close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
Acquiring a 1.5-inch sampling of approximately 200 hair strands (mirroring the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for initial screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is absent, a corresponding amount of body hair can be taken. When we talk about head hair, we're specifically talking about scalp hair. Body hair refers to any other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four key steps within the lab process of evaluating a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system, which consists of confirming that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry that wasn’t provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening marks the initial rapid assessment for addictive substances. Despite Screening being an economical approach to dismiss drug usage in the bulk of samples, a positive result requires confirmation for admissibility in court. Any samples yielding a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial batch and prepped for Extraction. In this procedure, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening stands as the most challenging technique to execute.
Confirmation of presumptive positive screening outcomes is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed prior to confirmation as indicated. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite commonly being termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Why does hair follicle testing outshine urine tests in Gateway, FL?
Choosing hair testing ensures that employers receive accurate and concrete data.
In Gateway, FL, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing spans up to 90 days.
This makes hair follicle testing a preferred option for those seeking a broad overview of past drug use.
The risk of adulteration is significantly reduced with hair follicle tests in Gateway, FL.
Employers can rest assured knowing that test results are both genuine and precise.
In Gateway, FL, benefit from convenient testing centers nationwide.
Our easily accessible centers prioritize your convenience and comfort.
Experience a simple and confidential process in Gateway, FL.
A seamless experience from start to finish underscores Accredited Drug Testing’s commitment to client comfort.
Accredited Drug Testing in Gateway, FL offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround.
Enjoy peace of mind and competitive pricing suited to your organizational needs.
In Gateway, FL, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of hair tests is unmatched, effectively identifying substance use with higher accuracy compared to other methods. Results from hair tests are not only swift but hold paramount reliability in detecting long-term substance usage, making them a smart choice for companies demanding thoroughness.
Hair follicle testing guarantees compliance and peace of mind for Gateway, FL employers.
Such benefits uphold peace of mind and confidence in maintaining a secure workplace.