Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair provides an extended history of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers in the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a 90-day detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and composed of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we're specifically talking about scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This incorporates verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary rapid check for abused drugs. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and set for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is overseen under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is done on the hair strand, not the hair follicle under the scalp
Hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests in Crete, IL. It boasts superior detection accuracy and reliability, making it a preferred choice for many employers. With an extended detection period and robust testing methods, hair testing unveils substance use more comprehensively, ensuring clarity where urine tests might fall short.
In Crete, IL, hair follicle testing stands out with its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This long span allows employers to gain a significant overview of an individual's substance history, rather than catching just recent use. Such insight can be crucial in making informed hiring and employee management decisions.
Hair follicle tests in Crete, IL, significantly cut down the possibility of sample tampering, delivering trustworthy results. Unlike other testing methods, the potential for adulteration is vastly minimized. This provides employers and officials with the assurance that the results they receive are genuine and accurate.
With convenient nationwide testing centers, including local ones in Crete, IL, accessing hair follicle testing becomes a hassle-free experience. Our numerous locations facilitate quick and easy testing, making it simpler for clients anywhere to utilize our services.
In Crete, IL, our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, we prioritize privacy and ease at each stage. Clients receive assurance that their information remains secure, providing a smooth experience from start to finish.
In Crete, IL, we offer competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing. This ensures exceptional value for companies of all sizes, allowing them to maintain budget consciousness while enjoying prompt service delivery, providing reassurance and efficiency.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Crete, IL, make them a leading choice for detecting substance use. With high accuracy, they quickly identify drug presence with a reliable approach, ensuring that results are presented faster than traditional methods. This means less waiting time, allowing for prompt decisions based on clear evidence.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Crete, IL, ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, diminishing legal risks and bolstering safety. Employers gain peace of mind knowing that they operate within legal regulations while promoting a secure and productive work environment.
