Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can yield a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When taken near the scalp, hair offers an approximate 3-month detection range for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect, challenging to adulterate, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will produce 100mg, the optimal amount for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a sample size of 150mg is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. 'Head hair' specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' encompasses all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial intake of a sample into a lab's system. This step ensures that the sample has been properly sealed and transported, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers a budget-friendly method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be valid in legal situations. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require further confirmation.
For a sample presumed positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. This stage extracts drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug screening is the most complex method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the actual test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing offers substantial advantages over traditional urine tests in Gladstone, IL. These tests provide a broader detection capability, capturing drug use patterns over longer periods and delivering more resilient results.
Due to the inherent stability of hair samples, these tests avoid the risks of adulteration commonly associated with urine tests, ensuring more reliable outcomes for employers and individuals alike.
The extended detection period offered by hair follicle testing in Gladstone, IL, is unparalleled. With a capacity to review drug use up to 90 days prior, employers gain a comprehensive insight into the substance history of applicants or staff members.
This long-term observation window is invaluable for maintaining safety and suitability standards, providing a thorough evaluation not possible through urine testing.
The robust design of hair follicle tests effectively mitigates risks associated with sample tampering in Gladstone, IL. Due to the nature of hair samples, these tests deliver highly trustworthy results, unaffected by external attempts to manipulate outcomes.
Employers can rely on the integrity of hair tests for consistent and defensible data regarding an individual's drug use.
Gladstone, IL, benefits from the accessibility of numerous testing centers nationwide. Our expansive network allows for swift, seamless access to hair follicle testing services, simplifying the logistics of sample collection.
This wide-reaching availability ensures quick and effortless service, alleviating the pressures of scheduling and location constraints on employers and individuals.
Our simple and confidential process in Gladstone, IL, protects individual privacy when it comes to hair follicle testing. Ordering, collecting, and fetching results is user-friendly, addressing both simplicity and the privacy concerns of clients.
This streamlined approach supports those in need of testing, offering a discreet yet efficient way to access and manage testing information.
In Gladstone, IL, our hair follicle tests reflect competitive pricing and swift processing times, making them an attractive choice for companies of every size. The affordable structures ensure substantial value and cost-efficiency.
Meanwhile, our fast service delivery enhances peace of mind for employers, guaranteeing effective resource allocation while managing drug-free environments confidently.
Gladstone, IL embraces the efficiency of hair follicle drug tests, renowned for their speed and precision. These assessments boast high accuracy levels, effectively identifying substance use far beyond the scope of traditional methods.
The rapid delivery of results ensures that timely decision-making for employers becomes possible, simplifying the processes associated with employment screenings and legal requirements.
For companies in Gladstone, IL, hair follicle testing cultivates peace of mind by enforcing compliance with drug-free workplace standards. Implementing such tests reduces legal liabilities, ensuring adherence to safety protocols.
Employing this method assures employers of a more secure and regulated work environment, enhancing overall workforce productivity and wellbeing.
