Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair tests are increasingly recognized as an effective method to identify drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug exposure by securing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Sampling hair from near the scalp offers roughly a three-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.
A 1.5-inch section containing roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, an optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional substances, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. When discussing head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This phase verifies the sample’s sealing and shipment integrity, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplemental data entry not accounted for by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers a preliminary rapid assessment for drug abuse presence. Though Screening efficiently excludes drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptive positive samples from Screening necessitate follow-up confirmation.
For samples deemed presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for Extraction, where drugs are extracted at a much lower concentration than alternative methods (like urine or oral fluid), underscoring hair drug screening as one of the most complex methodologies to implement.
Confirmation for any positive screening outcome utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. To prepare for confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and aligns with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The test, while often labeled as "hair follicle tests," actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why choose hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests in North Sarasota, FL? The answer lies in superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests offer a longer detection window, providing an extensive view of drug usage, which urine tests frequently miss.
Employers in North Sarasota, FL benefit from hair follicle tests because they provide an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This prolonged period helps in obtaining a comprehensive picture of any substance history, offering significant insights into an individual's behavior.
Hair follicle testing in North Sarasota, FL presents a tamper-resistant method, drastically reducing the risk of sample manipulation. The integrity of results is maintained, providing employers with trustworthy data crucial for decision-making processes.
Our North Sarasota, FL location is part of a convenient network of nationwide testing centers, designed to ensure that individuals and businesses have easy access to quality hair follicle testing services.
In North Sarasota, FL, the hair testing procedure is simple and confidential. The process from ordering to result delivery is streamlined, addressing any privacy concerns and guaranteeing a hassle-free experience for all participants.
Providing affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times in North Sarasota, FL, our hair follicle testing stands out. With competitive pricing, employers of all sizes receive great value along with peace of mind through efficient and reliable services.
In North Sarasota, FL, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests boast a high precision rate, swiftly identifying substance use without errors. Their accuracy in detecting drug intake is unparalleled, making them indispensable for those seeking precise testing methods.
For employers in North Sarasota, FL, compliance with drug-free work policies is crucial. Hair follicle testing provides peace of mind by ensuring legal compliance, reducing risks, and fostering a safer workplace environment.
