Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has established itself as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair. When sourced near the scalp, hair offers a detection window of up to approximately three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is not only easy to gather but also difficult to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, the perfect specimen amount for initial screenings and verifications. For EtG, additional tests, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, it exclusively refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four critical phases in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome involve Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning comprises the initial processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was securely sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of an initial rapid evaluation for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal scenarios. Any samples that are preliminarily positive in Screening do need a subsequent confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are retrieved from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), marking hair drug screening as the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminarily positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected 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: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Tampa, FL, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests for several compelling reasons. Its ability to detect a wider range of substances with higher accuracy makes it a superior choice.
The reliability of hair testing provides a longer detection window than urine, ensuring a comprehensive overview of substance use, which traditional tests often miss.
Hair follicle tests offer an extensive detection window in Tampa, FL, providing insight into drug use over up to 90 days. This broader timeframe allows employers to thoroughly assess an individual's substance habits.
For organizations looking to get a detailed view of a potential employee’s long-term drug use history, hair analysis is unrivaled.
Hair follicle testing in Tampa, FL, significantly minimizes the potential for tampering. The test's design ensures sample integrity, delivering unquestionable results.
Its robust mechanisms make it nearly impossible for individuals to tamper with samples, offering employers assurance of accurate test outcomes.
With numerous testing locations nationwide, including convenient options in Tampa, FL, accessing hair follicle testing services is straightforward and trouble-free.
Our widespread centers ensure that clients can easily schedule and complete tests, underscoring the accessibility of our services.
The process for hair follicle testing in Tampa, FL, is simple and confidential. From ordering to testing and receiving results, the procedure is designed to respect privacy and facilitate ease of use.
This approach addresses concerns about confidentiality and simplifies the testing experience for all participants.
Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Tampa, FL, an attractive option for businesses of all sizes.
Balancing affordability with expedient and reliable results, our services provide excellent value, ensuring companies stay informed without breaking the bank.
Hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes in Tampa, FL. The precision with which these tests detect substance use is unparalleled, delivering high accuracy in identifying drug traces.
Results from hair testing are both swift and dependable, making them an excellent choice for individuals and organizations requiring prompt and precise diagnostic information.
Using hair follicle testing in Tampa, FL, ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, giving employers peace of mind.
This testing method reduces legal risks and elevates workplace safety measures, helping maintain a secure environment for all employees.