Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term drug and alcohol usage history by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair offers a detection window of about 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is easy, challenging to adulterate, and straightforward to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches containing around 200 hair strands, akin to the size of a #2 pencil, nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests surpassing 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be utilized. When mentioning head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The key phases in laboratory drug test result processing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the sample's initial integration into a lab’s system. This phase includes checking proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary assessment for drug abuse. Although it's a cost-efficient method for largely negating drug use, any positive screening results must be confirmed to hold up in legal proceedings. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening need further confirmation.
Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening results is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The complete lab process 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: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the subsurface hair follicle.
Why Hair Testing Triumphs in Atkinson, IL focuses largely on the advantages that hair testing has over traditional urine tests.
Offering stronger detection reliability, hair tests can identify substances missed by urine analysis. Its comprehensive approach delivers accurate, indisputable findings, reducing the chances of incorrect or fraudulent outcomes.
Extended Detection Window makes hair follicle testing invaluable in Atkinson, IL. Where urine tests fall short, hair tests shine by revealing substance use history for up to 90 days. This affords a broader perspective on an individual's substance habits, crucial for informed decision-making in employment and legal matters.
Tamper-Resistant Assurance is a fundamental advantage of hair follicle tests in Atkinson, IL. Their robust design makes them remarkably resistant to sample tampering or adulteration, enabling accurate, trustworthy results that assure stakeholders of their reliability.
Convenience in Testing comes standard with our nationwide network, including local centers in Atkinson, IL. This widespread availability guarantees that both employers and individuals can swiftly and efficiently schedule tests, making the process convenient and stress-free.
Efficient and Confidential procedures in Atkinson, IL, ensure a smooth experience from start to finish. Our testing process is both straightforward and private, maintaining the confidentiality of all involved parties while simplifying the steps from booking to result reception.
Value and Speed resonate throughout our services in Atkinson, IL. With competitive pricing structures and quick result turnaround, we cater to businesses of every size, ensuring cost-effective solutions that deliver exceptional value.
Precision and Speed are the cornerstones of hair follicle drug testing in Atkinson, IL. This method stands out by identifying even the most subtle traces of drug use.
Recognized for its remarkable accuracy and swiftness, it offers reliable insights, ensuring employers receive dependable results, timely and unchecked from any external interferences.
Confidence for Employers employing hair follicle testing in Atkinson, IL, means compliance with drug-free workplace policies is easier to maintain. This method reduces legal risks while bolstering safety in the workspace, all while providing peace of mind to employers.
