Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assessment is increasingly recognized as an efficient method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding unique markers within the strands as they grow. When gathered from near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to about three months for substances. The collection of hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and validation. For tests including EtG, additional screens, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of hair. We suggest measuring the hair on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inadequate, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hairs (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing laboratory procedure encompasses four critical stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the foundational processing of a sample within the lab system. This phase checks that the sample was gathered and delivered appropriately, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and updates any data lacking in the digital chain of custody.
Screening conducts an immediate inspection for common drugs. Although Screening serves as an economical way to dismiss drug use in many cases, a court-admissible result requires confirmation of any positive screening. Samples identified as presumptively positive in Screening must undergo further validation.
When a sample is labeled presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are isolated from hair in significantly lower concentrations than found in alternate matrices (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a uniquely challenging methodology.
Positive screenings are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed pre-confirmation when necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated according to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards as well as ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Choosing hair follicle testing over urine testing in Mechanicsville, GA, presents several advantages. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability.
Employers benefit from hair tests as they effectively identify long-term substance use, unlike traditional urine tests, which only capture recent usage.
In Mechanicsville, GA, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing captures drug use history for up to 90 days.
This comprehensive view aids employers in evaluating the substance history of potential and current employees, offering critical information for workplace safety.
Hair follicle testing in Mechanicsville, GA, is a tamper-resistant method that minimizes risks of sample adulteration.
The stringent collection process ensures the reliability and integrity of results, making it a trusted testing method.
Access to hair follicle testing is convenient nationwide, including in Mechanicsville, GA.
Testing locations are widespread, making the process quick, easy, and hassle-free.
Our network of centers ensures that testing services are readily accessible regardless of your location.
The process for hair follicle testing in Mechanicsville, GA, is simple and confidential.
Ordering, taking, and receiving results are straightforward, ensuring privacy and ease of use for all clients.
In Mechanicsville, GA, hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and fast turnarounds, providing great value to employers.
Our competitive pricing and quick response ensure excellent service for companies of any size.
Hair follicle drug tests in Mechanicsville, GA, guarantee fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their high precision in detecting substances provides a significant advantage over other testing methods.
The swift processing time of hair tests ensures results are delivered rapidly, allowing for timely decisions in workplace and legal contexts.
Employers in Mechanicsville, GA, gain compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing.
This testing method supports workplace drug-free policies, reduces legal risks, and promotes a safer work environment.