Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly regarded as an efficient method for identifying substance abuse, including drugs and alcohol. Hair can capture long-term evidence of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the hair fibers as they grow. Hair samples taken near the scalp can reveal drug and alcohol use for an estimated period of up to three months. Collection is straightforward, tampering is somewhat challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil thickness) close to the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. The specimen should be weighed with a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar amount of body hair is acceptable. Notably, "head hair" specifies scalp hair only, while "body hair" pertains to all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing drug test results comprises four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the initial stage where the sample is entered into the laboratory's system. This step ensures the sample is appropriately sealed and shipped, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any missing data entry not provided through an electronic chain of custody.
Screening performs an initial rapid analysis for substance abuse. Although Screening is cost-effective for eliminating drug usage in most samples, positive findings require confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples that yield presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample show presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), positioning hair drug screening as the most complex methodology to implement.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, as necessary. The entire laboratory process, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly named "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the scalp hair follicle.
In Placerville, ID, the reasons why hair follicle testing trumps urine testing are compelling. Hair testing offers a longer detection period, far outlasting the reach of urine tests. Accuracy is another key feature, minimizing false negatives.
The key advantage of hair follicle testing in Placerville, ID, is its extended detection window. Unlike other methods that detect usage days before the test, this technique's scope reaches up to 90 days.
One of the prominent aspects of hair follicle testing in Placerville, ID, is its tamper-resistant nature. This method provides undeniable reliability as hair samples are nearly impossible to alter or adulterate.
The convenience of nationwide testing centers, including local options in Placerville, ID, streamlines the testing process. Accessing our hair follicle testing services is easy and hassle-free.
In Placerville, ID, the process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is simple and confidential. This reassures users of their privacy and ease of use.
Our hair follicle testing in Placerville, ID, offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround, providing cost-effective solutions for businesses of all sizes.
The efficiency of hair follicle drug tests in Placerville, ID, lies in their speed and accuracy. This method triumphs by providing rapid and reliable results, crucial in the fight against substance misuse.
Employers gain vital compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing in Placerville, ID, through the assurance of enforcing drug-free policies. This method significantly enhances workplace safety and integrity.
