Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term history of substances by trapping biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When the sample is collected near the scalp, hair can present up to about a 3-month span for detecting alcohol and other drugs. It's easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to ship.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches containing approximately 200 hair strands (resembling a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will weigh 100mg, which is the ideal amount for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or evaluations over 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. When we mention head hair, it refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The procedure for analyzing a drug test sample in the laboratory includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial intake of a sample into the lab's system. It involves ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data needed that's not supplied by an electronic custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary check for drug usage. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use in most cases, a positive result must be confirmed to be legally acceptable. Any samples showing a presumptive positive in Screening indeed require a secondary confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), highlighting that hair testing is one of the most complex methods to execute.
Confirmation for any positive result during the screening is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Any presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if needed. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 certification standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the exam analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Eastwood Manor, IL: The prevailing benefits of hair testing against traditional urine tests are self-evident in its exceptional detection span and reliability. Hair follicle tests surpass urine analysis by providing a comprehensive detection window, detecting drug use from several weeks to months, which is particularly invaluable to professionals prioritizing accurate substance history reviews.
Extended Detection Window in Eastwood Manor, IL: Hair follicle testing uncovers substance use over an expanded period, typically up to 90 days. This allows employers to assess an individual's substance history comprehensively, shedding light on their long-term substance engagement. Strategic advantages are considerable when monitoring adherence to workplace drug policies with effective foresight.
The Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Eastwood Manor, IL represents a formidable barrier against attempts to falsify results. Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate risks of sample adulteration, offering reliable and unquestionable results. Such integrity is valued highly in professional testing scenarios.Hair tests are notably resilient against conventional tampering tactics, fostering trust in gathered results.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Eastwood Manor, IL underscore the accessibility of our extensive network of testing centers. The availability of such centers guarantees swift and easy access to customers seeking testing services, reducing stressors associated with logistics. Nationwide presence empowers individuals, ensuring hassle-free, seamless testing experiences across locations.
The Simple, Confidential Process in Eastwood Manor, IL articulates an easy and discreet approach to procuring, conducting, and receiving test results. Addressing privacy concerns, it is designed to uphold confidentiality throughout. The straightforward process facilitates a comfortable experience, reinforcing customer confidence in managing sensitive information.
With Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Eastwood Manor, IL, we reiterate the value of our economic pricing strategy, paired with rapid test result availability. Our efficient service delivery model offers ideal solutions for businesses of any scale looking for budget-friendly options without compromising quality or peace of mind.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Eastwood Manor, IL offer unmatched precision in hair follicle drug tests, showcasing superior accuracy in detecting substance ingestion. Users benefit from the swift processing of specimens and verification of results, ensuring prompt identification of any substance use incidents. Efficiency in data collection and error-resistance contribute significantly to its efficacy.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Eastwood Manor, IL comes with using hair follicle testing to ensure adherence to workplace drug-free policies. This approach minimizes legal liabilities and fortifies workplace safety initiatives. Efficient compliance checks promote operational confidence, augmenting the company’s commitment to maintaining a drug-free environment.