Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures biomarkers within the strands as they grow, offering an extended history of alcohol and drug use. A sample collected near the scalp can provide a detection timeframe of approximately three months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to ship.
An optimal screening and confirmation sample consists of a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, yielding 100mg of hair. For EtG tests, additional screenings, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be obtained. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key steps in processing a drug test result in a laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary process of entering a sample into a laboratory system. This stage involves confirming the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as a preliminary examination of samples for drugs. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug usage for most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Presumptively positive samples during Screening need a subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair from the initial specimen is extracted for further analysis. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the methodologically most challenging.
Confirmation for any positive Screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," this test analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Tests Beat Urine: Hair follicle testing in Kansas, IL offers superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. Hair tests extend the detection window significantly, capturing substance use up to 90 days prior. This makes them an ideal choice for comprehensive drug screening, reducing the risk of undetected substance abuse.
Extended Detection Window: The ability of hair follicle tests to detect drug use up to 90 days makes them superior in Kansas, IL. This prolonged detection period provides employers with a detailed insight into an individual's substance history, essential for making well-informed hiring and retention decisions.
Tamper-Resistant Method: Hair follicle drug tests in Kansas, IL offer a high level of reliability by minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. The collection process is observed, ensuring that the samples remain uncompromised, providing employers with unquestioned and accurate results every time.
Convenient Locations: With a wide network of testing centers, including those in Kansas, IL, accessing hair follicle drug testing services is hassle-free. The nationwide reach ensures that testing is convenient, quick, and easily accessible, providing excellent support for both employers and individuals alike.
Simple and Confidential: In Kansas, IL, the process for hair follicle drug testing is both simple and discreet. From ordering to collection and result delivery, every step is designed with privacy and ease in mind, ensuring that clients feel secure and comfortable throughout the process.
Affordable and Fast: In Kansas, IL, competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times make hair follicle testing a cost-effective choice for businesses. The reasonable costs paired with swift results offer great value, enhancing decision-making processes without burdening budgets.
Fast and Accurate results are a key advantage of hair follicle drug tests in Kansas, IL. The precision of this testing method ensures timely and reliable detection of substances. With its high accuracy rate, employers can make informed decisions quickly, bolstering confidence in the screening process. Results are available rapidly, facilitating swift action on detected substance use.
Compliance and Peace of Mind: Employing hair follicle testing in Kansas, IL supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method reduces legal risks and promotes a safer work environment, offering employers peace of mind with assured reliability and accuracy.
