Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extensive timeline for substance history by capturing biomarkers within the growing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal up to about a 90-day window for alcohol and drug detection. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising approximately 200 hair strands (roughly equivalent to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp can provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for evaluation and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. It's recommended to measure the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair may be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The procedure for processing drug test results in the laboratory comprises four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This step ensures the sample is properly sealed and delivered, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples labeled presumptively positive in Screening must undergo secondary verification.
If Screening indicates a presumptively positive result, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.
Any confirmed positive result from Screening is validated using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples that show presumptive positive results undergo a wash before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 regulations.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand and excludes the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in Cartecay, GA, by offering superior accuracy in detection. Employers and agencies prefer hair testing due to its extensive detection capability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a clearer and more reliable picture, ensuring that drug use can be identified with greater certainty.
In Cartecay, GA, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window for drug use. This method allows for detection of substances up to 90 days prior, granting employers a thorough understanding of a candidate's or employee's substance history. This prolonged period of detection far exceeds the capabilities of standard urine tests.
Hair follicle testing in Cartecay, GA, is a robust method that dramatically decreases the chance of sample tampering. This process delivers results that are reliable and beyond dispute. Employers can trust the integrity of the results thanks to the secure nature of the collection and testing procedure.
Cartecay, GA, benefits from convenient nationwide testing centers that ensure accessibility to hair follicle testing services. These centers provide an easy and prompt service experience, ensuring that individuals and employers alike have quick and hassle-free access to drug testing facilities whenever needed.
The process of hair follicle testing in Cartecay, GA, is both straightforward and confidential. This ensures peace of mind regarding privacy while maintaining an easy-to-understand procedure for ordering, conducting tests, and receiving results. This simplicity is key to addressing any concerns regarding policy and privacy.
Cartecay, GA, offers competitive pricing for hair follicle drug testing, with a focus on affordability and fast results. This ensures businesses of all sizes can benefit from reliable testing without compromising their budget. Quick turnaround times further reinforce the value of this essential service.
The precision of hair follicle drug testing is unrivaled in Cartecay, GA. With fast and reliable results, these tests offer an advanced level of accuracy and reliability in detecting substance use. Hair analysis not only pinpoints the presence of drugs but does so swiftly and with a level of detail that is unmatched by other testing methods.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Cartecay, GA, promotes compliance with workplace drug policies and enhances safety. Employers gain peace of mind through reduced legal risks and assurance that their drug-free policies are strongly upheld, fostering a safer working environment.
