Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug use. Hair strands encapsulate biomarkers, providing a comprehensive long-term history of substance use. When sourced closely from the scalp, hair tests can offer up to a three-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
Gathering a 1.5-inch specimen consisting of about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields about 100mg, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional tests, or when testing more than 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is preferred. It is advisable to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, collecting an equivalent amount of body hair is an option. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" covers all other types (like facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
Four principal stages define the laboratory handling of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step where a sample is entered into a laboratory system. This process verifies proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any outstanding data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a quick preliminary check for drugs. Although cost-effective for ruling out drug presence in most samples, a positive screening result must undergo confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Presumptively positive samples require a secondary confirmation.
In cases where Sampling is presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. This stage involves drug extraction at lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), posing unique difficulties for hair drug screening as a methodology.
Confirmation, via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS, is executed on any positive screening outcome. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed if necessary. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning through Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the assay targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing is emerging as the preferred method over urine testing in Vermont Heights, FL. The advantages include superior detection capability and consistent results. Unlike urine tests, hair testing identifies long-term substance use, giving an exhaustive profile of an individual's drug history. This extends beyond the scope of traditional urine tests, capturing a more reliable picture.
Offering an extended detection window, hair follicle tests in Vermont Heights, FL, unveil drug use over up to 90 days. Unlike other methods, this extensive information provides employers with a comprehensive substance history of their employees or candidates. This far-reaching outlook helps enforce drug-free policies more effectively, ensuring safety and compliance.
One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Vermont Heights, FL, is its significant resistance to tampering. This method minimizes the chances of sample adulteration, delivering results that are both dependable and conclusive. This ensures that the integrity of the testing process remains uncompromised, with results that employers can fully rely on.
With testing centers nationwide and local access in Vermont Heights, FL, Accredited Drug Testing offers unrivaled convenience. Our extensive network of locations facilitates quick and hassle-free access to professional testing services. Employees and employers alike benefit from our easy and efficient reachability, saving time and ensuring prompt service.
The process at our Vermont Heights, FL centers is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, privacy is respected at every step, ensuring client confidence. This ease of use, combined with our commitment to confidentiality, makes the entire process smooth and worry-free, providing peace of mind to all participants.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and quick turnaround for hair follicle tests in Vermont Heights, FL. Our cost-effective solutions deliver excellent value, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes. The fast result processing ensures minimal hold-ups, providing exceptional service that combines reliability with economy.
The precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests in Vermont Heights, FL, are unrivaled. These tests offer exceptional accuracy in identifying substance use, ensuring that results are trusted and swift. The efficiency in delivering reliable results aids employers in making informed decisions quickly, minimizing downtime and maintaining human resource productivity.
By employing hair follicle testing, employers in Vermont Heights, FL, can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies, fostering peace of mind. The method helps mitigate legal risks and promotes a safe working environment. Its high effectiveness in identifying drug use also aids in maintaining a well-monitored, responsible workforce.
