Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair screening is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair can capture long-term usage patterns by retaining biomarkers within the fibers of its growing strands. When clipped near the scalp, hair delivers up to around a 3-month window of detection for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. It's suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair not be available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be obtained. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test outcome encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory’s framework. This step verifies the sample was sealed and transported appropriately, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any remaining data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid evaluation for drug abuse. While a cost-effective method to identify drug use in most samples, any positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples showing a presumptive positive result in Screening need a follow-up confirmation.
If a sample indicates a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), marking hair drug screening as the most complex methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples undergo washing as required prior to confirmation. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is checked under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the actual analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Magnolia, IL has become popular for its superior detection abilities over traditional urine tests. It offers a longer detection window and reduces chances of tampering. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide insight into long-term substance use, giving a more comprehensive profile. Their reliability makes them ideal for stringent zero-tolerance environments.
In Magnolia, IL, hair follicle testing provides a significantly extended detection window, covering drug use history up to 90 days. This extensive timeline grants employers comprehensive insights into an individual’s substance history, allowing better-informed decisions regarding applicants or employees.
Hair follicle drug tests in Magnolia, IL, are lauded for being a tamper-resistant testing method. The collection process is highly observant, ensuring samples cannot be easily adulterated. By minimizing risks of sample tampering, these tests deliver results that are both reliable and indisputable, ensuring utmost trust in the outcomes.
With numerous testing centers nationwide and in Magnolia, IL, accessing hair follicle testing services is both quick and easy. Our extensive network facilitates smooth and hassle-free service availability, ensuring everyone can access the necessary testing without delay or inconvenience.
The process of hair follicle testing in Magnolia, IL, is simple and confidential. Ordering, conducting, and receiving results is streamlined to protect privacy and provide ease of use. This ensures clients feel secure and comfortable throughout the testing journey, from start to finish.
In Magnolia, IL, we offer affordable pricing and quick turnaround for hair follicle tests. Our competitive rates do not compromise quality, providing excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Fast response times also guarantee clients receive results swiftly, reinforcing trust and satisfaction.
In Magnolia, IL, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results unmatched by traditional methods. These tests can rapidly detect a wide range of substances, providing quick turnarounds without sacrificing accuracy. This efficiency and dependability make hair testing the preferred choice for those in need of precise substance use detection.
For employers in Magnolia, IL, hair follicle testing ensures compliance and peace of mind. It supports adherence to drug-free policies, mitigating potential legal liabilities and bolstering workplace safety. This assurance of compliance leads to a more dependable and secure working environment.