Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is widely regarded as an effective resource for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a historical record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer up to a three-month timespan for detecting alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and is convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for tests requiring screening and confirmation. For EtG, extra tests, or more than 10-panel tests, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair strictly. Body hair refers to all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory workflow for processing drug test outcomes involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning covers the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s system. This process ensures the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any additional data not included in an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as a preliminary check for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate most drug usage cases, a positive result must be verified for legal standing in a court. Samples that test positive in Screening undergo further confirmation.
Should a sample test positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration than used in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any screening test positivity is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All presumptive positives are cleaned prior to confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) for Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the scalp’s hair follicle.
When comparing testing methods in Meadowbrook, IL, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in several areas. Hair testing offers a longer detection duration and is less susceptible to tampering, providing a more reliable outcome. These qualities ensure that hair tests outperform traditional urine testing, presenting clear advantages in accuracy and reliability.
Employers in Meadowbrook, IL, prioritize the extended detection window of hair follicle testing, which accurately identifies drug use for up to 90 days. This prolonged coverage ensures businesses obtain comprehensive insight into substance behaviors, essential for maintaining a safe and responsible workplace environment.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Meadowbrook, IL, eliminates concerns over sample integrity. By significantly reducing tampering opportunities, this method ensures trustworthy results, offering organizations and individuals a reliable approach to substance monitoring.
Conveniently scattered nationwide and locally in Meadowbrook, IL, our testing centers guarantee accessible and efficient services. With testing sites readily available, individuals experience swift, stress-free testing processes, establishing a conducive way to manage required testing needs.
Our commitment to a simple, confidential process in Meadowbrook, IL, ensures ease and privacy in ordering, participation, and result retrieval. Addressing potential confidentiality concerns, this streamlined method simplifies drug testing, enhancing user experience with a focus on discretion.
Meadowbrook, IL offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround on hair follicle tests, making it an attractive option for businesses. Competitive rates and timely results provide companies both value and reassurance, accommodating various budgets while ensuring a comprehensive drug testing protocol.
In Meadowbrook, IL, hair follicle testing stands out for its fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method provides reliable insights into substance use, offering employers confident hiring and monitoring strategies. The precision of hair analysis ensures thorough detection and peace of mind, reflecting a high standard of accuracy unmatched by other methods.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Meadowbrook, IL, grants companies compliance and peace of mind, aligning with drug-free policies and reducing legal liabilities. This method enhances safety standards and ensures adherence to workplace regulations, fostering a secure professional environment.
