Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Recognized as a formidable means for detecting alcohol and drug consumption, hair testing offers a comprehensive history of substance use by locking biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When trimmed close to the scalp, it can reveal a detection window for drugs and alcohol extending up to around three months. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tough to alter, and hassle-free to transport.
An optimal screening and confirmation sample consists of a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in thickness to a #2 pencil) near the scalp, yielding 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional tests, or screenings exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is advised. If scalp hair cannot be sourced, a similar quantity of body hair should be obtained. ‘Head hair’ pertains solely to scalp hair, while ‘body hair’ encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning covers the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab's framework, verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial swift check for drugs of abuse. Though Screening offers a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug usage on most samples, any positive screen must undergo confirmation to be acceptable in legal settings. Samples that preludely test positive during Screening must be confirmed subsequently.
In cases where Screening hints at a positive result, more hair is gleaned from the initial sample for Extraction. Drugs, in this phase, are extracted from hair in much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), attributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All prepositive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation if necessitated. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often dubbed "hair follicle tests," these tests actually analyze the hair strand itself, not the follicle nestled beneath the scalp.
In Bowdon Junction, GA, hair follicle screening emerges as superior when compared to traditional urine tests. The benefits of hair analysis include enhanced detection accuracy and consistent reliability. This testing method is less susceptible to tampering, providing more accurate results than urine tests, which have a shorter detection window and can be easier to manipulate.
The compelling aspect of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days prior. This makes it an invaluable tool for employers in Bowdon Junction, GA, as it provides a thorough overview of an individual's substance history. Employers can confidently assess both current and past behavior, enhancing their decision-making process.
Hair follicle testing minimizes the chances of tampering, a common concern with other methods like urinalysis. In Bowdon Junction, GA, this robustness makes hair testing a preferred choice for those in need of uncompromised results. The integrity of the hair sample, combined with an observed collection process, ensures dependable outcomes.
In Bowdon Junction, GA, the ease of accessing hair follicle testing is enhanced by our conveniently located testing centers. These nationwide facilities support quick and straightforward testing procedures. Whether local or national, our locations are aimed at reducing hassle and streamlining the testing process for customers.
Conducting hair follicle tests in Bowdon Junction, GA is straightforward and respects your privacy. Our process is designed to be simple and confidential, ensuring an easy experience from ordering the test to getting the results. Clients can trust that their privacy is safeguarded throughout.
We offer competitive pricing and quick turnaround times for hair follicle testing in Bowdon Junction, GA. Our services provide excellent value for businesses of any size, ensuring that companies receive cost-effective solutions without sacrificing quality or speed. Clients can count on our efficiency and affordability.
Hair follicle testing in Bowdon Junction, GA is characterized by its impressive speed and reliability. These tests offer fast and accurate results, ensuring that substance use is detected with high precision. The methodology used in hair testing provides an advanced level of detail, allowing for quick assessments without compromising accuracy.
By adopting hair follicle testing, employers in Bowdon Junction, GA can achieve compliance with drug-free workplace policies effectively. This approach significantly reduces legal risks, fostering an atmosphere of safety and reliability. Hair testing offers employers peace of mind by aligning with both legal standards and best practices for workplace safety.
