Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a repository for long-term history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When sourced near the scalp, hair can provide a detection period of up to approximately three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding ten panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is recommended to measure the sample weight using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair types, including facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
There are four primary steps in laboratory processing for drug testing results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab’s system, involving validation of proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial rapid evaluation for drug abuse. Although it is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage across the majority of samples, a positive screening outcome demands confirmation for legitimacy in legal proceedings. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening undergo subsequent confirmation.
When a sample is presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity inherent in performing hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Frequently called "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Eldorendo, GA In Eldorendo, the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine tests are clear. Hair tests offer a superior detection window and reliability, capturing substance use histories more effectively. Employers and professionals prefer this method due to its enhanced precision and resistance to tampering compared to traditional urine tests.
Extended Detection Window in Eldorendo, GA Hair follicle tests in Eldorendo offer a substantial advantage with their long detection periods. Covering up to 90 days, these tests provide a broad overview of an individual's substance use history, helping employers make informed decisions about potential hires or current employees.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Eldorendo, GA The reliability of hair follicle tests in Eldorendo is notably high due to their reduced risk of sample tampering. By offering a nearly unchangeable sample, these tests ensure accurate and trustworthy results, reinforcing their status as a dependable method of drug testing.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Eldorendo, GA With an extensive network of testing centers, including those in Eldorendo, access to hair follicle testing is straightforward and convenient. This ensures minimal hassle in meeting testing needs, providing easy and localized access to essential services.
Simple, Confidential Process in Eldorendo, GA Hair follicle testing in Eldorendo is designed to be straightforward and private. From ordering to obtaining results, the process is kept streamlined and confidential, offering peace of mind with respect to privacy and user experience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Eldorendo, GA Eldorendo's hair follicle testing facilities offer competitive pricing and swift results. The combination of cost-effectiveness and quick turnaround times delivers excellent value, ensuring satisfaction for businesses of various sizes.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Eldorendo, GA Hair follicle testing in Eldorendo offers swift and precise results. The advanced techniques used ensure a high level of accuracy, making it a trustworthy method for substance detection. Employers and individuals benefit from the prompt and dependable outcomes, greatly facilitating timely decision-making processes.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Eldorendo, GA Utilizing hair follicle testing in Eldorendo ensures that employers can uphold drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks and contributes to a safer working environment by providing thorough and reliable compliance solutions.