Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a lasting record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When hair is obtained close to the scalp, it can offer up to a 3-month detection window for substances. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample consisting of a 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (approximating the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen amount of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, equivalent body hair may be collected. Reference to head hair exclusively pertains to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in the laboratory processing of drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory's system. This involves confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial quick assessment for substance abuse. While it is a cost-effective means to discount drug use for most samples, any positive findings from the screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples that test positively in the Screening phase necessitate a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair from the original specimen is utilized for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Any positive screening result undergoes Confirmation using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples yielding presumptive positives are washed prior to confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In Stone, ID, hair follicle drug testing surpasses traditional urine tests, offering distinct advantages.
The primary benefit lies in the accuracy and reliability of detection, significantly broader than urine analysis.
While urine tests serve short-term detection, hair tests capture a longer history, proving more comprehensive for informed decision-making.
In Stone, ID, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window, viewing drug use history over 90 days.
This capability offers employers a thorough perspective on an individual's substance habits.
Unlike shorter detection methods, it bolsters informed employment decisions with a full substance use timeline.
Hair follicle tests in Stone, ID exhibit tamper-resistant qualities, minimizing sample adulteration risks.
This reliability ensures test authenticity, delivering unquestionable results.
Employers and agencies benefit from data integrity, building trust in the testing process and safeguarding the selection processes.
Access to testing services in Stone, ID is facilitated by our nationwide centers.
This geographic convenience offers quick, efficient, and stress-free testing solutions.
Individuals and organizations alike benefit from expedited services close to home, simplifying the testing logistics.
In Stone, ID, our hair follicle testing process emphasizes simplicity and confidentiality.
From order placement to test execution and result receipt, the entire procedure safeguards privacy and ensures ease.
Such a streamlined approach addresses privacy concerns while offering user-friendly experience.
Stone, ID boasts competitive pricing and rapid turnaround for hair follicle tests.
Our cost-effective approaches deliver excellent value, ensuring fast results for organizations of all sizes.
Such affordability, paired with prompt service, assures seamless and beneficial testing operations.
The efficiency and reliability of hair follicle tests in Stone, ID ensure precise detection of substance use. These tests deliver timely results, standing out due to high levels of accuracy.
With rapid processing times, testing becomes a smooth experience without compromising on thoroughness.
Such efficiency assists employers and individuals aiming for swift insights into substance use history.
Employers in Stone, ID gain compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing.
Ensuring adherence to drug-free policies mitigates legal risks, cementing a safe work environment.
Such reliable testing solutions foster trust and credibility for companies, protecting their operational integrity.
