Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair holds a prolonged record of alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. When gathered from near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other drugs. The collection process for hair is easy, not easily tampered with, and straightforward to transport.
A sample consisting of 1.5 inches and about 200 hair strands (similar in girth to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for optimal screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We advocate using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair. In comparison, "body hair" encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result is encapsulated in four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary phase where a sample is introduced into a laboratory's system. It involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any additional data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial swift verification for substance abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly strategy for ruling out drug usage in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for court admission. Any samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
Should a sample display presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate method to execute.
The Confirmation of a positive screening result is via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every sample with a presumptive positive status is cleansed before confirmation if required. The comprehensive laboratory process spanning Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the assessment targets the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Algonquin, IL, offers numerous advantages over traditional urine tests. With its superior detection accuracy and reliability, it surpasses urine testing by identifying a broader range of substances across an extended timeframe.
In Algonquin, IL, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing covers up to 90 days, offering employers a comprehensive view of an employee's or applicant's substance usage history.
Hair follicle tests in Algonquin, IL, significantly reduce the risk of sample tampering. This method provides results that are both reliable and difficult to falsify, enhancing the trustworthiness of the testing process.
The convenience of nationwide testing centers, including locations in Algonquin, IL, guarantees easy and swift access to testing services, facilitating a seamless testing experience.
The testing process in Algonquin, IL, is straightforward and confidential, ensuring that individuals can order, undergo testing, and receive results with the utmost privacy and convenience.
Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Algonquin, IL, offer exceptional value, allowing companies of all sizes to benefit from quick and cost-effective drug testing solutions.
In Algonquin, IL, hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of these tests ensures high accuracy in detecting substances, offering peace of mind for those needing to validate results quickly and effectively.
For employers in Algonquin, IL, integrating hair follicle testing into a drug-free policy ensures compliance, reduces legal risks, and enhances workplace safety, providing peace of mind.
