Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Regarded as an impactful means for identifying substance intake, hair testing presents a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug consumption by embedding biomarkers within the strand of growing hair. When cut near the scalp, hair can offer a detection span of roughly 90 days for various substances. It is conveniently gathered, relatively challenging to alter, and straightforward to send.
A 1.5-inch piece of about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) adjacent to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It's beneficial to weigh the hair using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be taken. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary phases involved in lab processing of drug test outcomes are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning covers the initial handling of the specimen within a lab's system, ensuring the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening offers a preliminary evaluation for substance abuse. Although Screening effectively excludes drug use for the majority, a positive screen must be confirmed to hold in court. Samples flagged as presumably positive during Screening undergo secondary verification.
Should a specimen exhibit presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the primary sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations much lower than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug analysis is exceedingly intricate.
Confirmation of each positive screen result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples suspected to be positive are washed prior to confirmation as needed. The complete lab sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the assessment itself examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the skin.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ponte Vedra, FL
In Ponte Vedra, FL, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing serves as a significant advantage, allowing employers to review a longer history of substance use. With a detection period of up to 90 days, it's instrumental for comprehensive evaluations of a person's drug history.
This prolonged window ensures informed hiring and employment decisions, ensuring workplace safety and compliance.
One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing in Ponte Vedra, FL is its tamper-resistant nature. This testing method minimizes the chances of sample adulteration, ensuring accurate and trustworthy results.
The difficulty in evading detection through sample tampering provides reliable data, crucial for making informed decisions by employers and substance abuse professionals.
Convenient Nationwide Testing
The widespread availability of testing centers across the U.S., including Ponte Vedra, FL, ensures easy access to testing services. Quick and hassle-free testing allows both employers and individuals to manage their schedules efficiently.
Our local facilities offer efficient and seamless testing processes.
Simple, Confidential Process
In Ponte Vedra, FL, our testing process emphasizes simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering the test to receiving results, the procedure is designed to respect privacy and ensure ease of use.
Clients can be assured their information is managed securely, allowing them to focus on obtaining the relevant information without concern.
With affordable pricing and swift result turnaround in Ponte Vedra, FL, we provide exceptional value for businesses, large and small. Our competitive pricing structure ensures that organizations can easily budget for necessary testing without compromising on quality or speed.
Quick and reliable service delivery supports business needs efficiently.
In Ponte Vedra, FL, hair follicle tests are known for their precision and efficiency in delivering results. This method provides a higher accuracy level by detecting substance use over an extended period, offering peace of mind to employers and substance abuse professionals alike.
The speed and reliability of results make it a preferable choice for organizations committed to maintaining drug-free environments.
For employers in Ponte Vedra, FL, compliance and peace of mind are closely tied to using hair follicle tests. These tests help maintain adherence to workplace drug-free policies and mitigate legal risks.
Employers benefit from the assurance that their testing procedures help uphold safety, resulting in a safer, more productive workplace environment.
