Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair analysis has emerged as an effective technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encases long-term evidence of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer approximately a 3-month detection period for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample of hair measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of about 200 strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) cut closest to the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for evaluation and confirmation. For EtG assessments, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to have 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If hair from the scalp is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, we are specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types including facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of drug test results includes four fundamental phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the preliminary processing of a specimen into the laboratory's system. This step ensures that the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any outstanding data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening conducts an introductory rapid check for drugs. While it is a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug usage in most cases, any positive indications from Screening must be confirmed to be valid in legal scenarios. Samples showing potential positive results in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
When a sample shows a probable positive result in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are separated from the hair at a significantly lower concentration than alternative techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which accounts for the complexity involved in hair drug testing.
The Confirmation of any positive screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo a washing process before confirmation as necessary. The full procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated in compliance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair protocols and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though sometimes termed "hair follicle tests", this method actually examines the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Dalton Gardens, ID, hair follicle testing triumphs over urine tests through enhanced detection accuracy. Employers and professionals benefit from its longer detection window and reliable test results, ensuring zero-tolerance policies are fully supported, unlike standard urine tests that may miss recent drug exposure.
Hair follicle tests in Dalton Gardens, ID extend detection periods up to 90 days, offering employers extensive insight into an individual's drug use history. This wide-ranging analysis provides a comprehensive view, much longer than other testing methods, allowing for more strategic organizational decision-making based on thorough data.
The tamper-proof nature of hair follicle testing in Dalton Gardens, ID significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. This method provides unquestionable reliability, ensuring accurate results are delivered without concerns over compromised test integrity, contrary to other testing methods vulnerable to manipulation.
Convenient testing locations across Dalton Gardens, ID and across the nation make hair follicle testing highly accessible. This ensures ease of access to testing services, offering quick and hassle-free experiences that align with the fast-paced needs of businesses and individuals seeking reliable drug testing.
The process for hair follicle testing in Dalton Gardens, ID is simple and confidential, from ordering to receiving results. It addresses privacy concerns, ensuring that the entire procedure is discreet and straightforward, providing users with peace of mind while maintaining personal privacy and dignity.
Competitive pricing and fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Dalton Gardens, ID a cost-effective choice. This provides affordable solutions for companies, ensuring valuable and prompt results, supporting business needs efficiently regardless of company size.
Hair follicle drug testing offers rapid, accurate results in Dalton Gardens, ID. These tests are renowned for their precision in revealing substance use, surpassing more conventional methods. Their high accuracy ensures reliable detection, empowering employers to make informed decisions based on the most trustworthy data.
Employers in Dalton Gardens, ID gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to workplace drug-free policies. With reduced legal risks and exceptional workplace safety, this testing method provides compliance assurance, vital for maintaining secure and productive environments.
