Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly regarded as a robust instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to an approximately 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and various drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands (akin to a #2 pencil's width), collected closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. In reference to head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary incorporation of a sample into a laboratory's system. This involves ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry not furnished by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While cost-efficient for ruling out drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for courtroom admissibility. Any samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a confirmatory test.
When a sample shows a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation for any positive screening finding is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are washed as needed before confirmation. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.
In Mitchell, IL, hair follicle testing undoubtedly outshines urine testing with superior detection and unmatched reliability. Hair tests provide an extended detection window, making them perfect for spotting long-term substance use. Unlike urine tests, hair samples offer precision and reduce false negatives, making workplace policies more enforceable.
Mitchell, IL benefits from the extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing, which can trace drug use up to 90 days. This capability gives a more comprehensive picture of one's drug history than urine tests. Employers gain a deeper understanding of potential hires and current employees' substance use patterns.
With its inherent resistance to tampering, hair follicle testing in Mitchell, IL ensures credible results. The secure sampling method significantly reduces the potential for sample manipulation, offering undeniable results that support employers' zero-tolerance drug policies and enhance workplace integrity.
Testing in Mitchell, IL is convenient with our vast network of centers across the country. Employers and individuals enjoy the ease of access to high-quality testing facilities, ensuring a seamless, stress-free process. Local and nationwide options offer prompt services with consistent reliability in every location.
In Mitchell, IL, confidentiality and simplicity are at the heart of our process. From ordering to receiving results, the approach is straightforward and discreet, respecting clients’ privacy. The easy-to-navigate process ensures individuals and employers experience a stress-free testing journey.
Our services in Mitchell, IL offer competitive pricing and swift result turnarounds, ensuring excellent value for businesses of any size. With quick processing times and cost-effective solutions, companies can sustain their drug-free policies with confidence, receiving exceptional service at an economical price.
Fast, precise, and trustworthy results define the hair follicle drug testing methodology in Mitchell, IL. The efficiency of hair tests captures substance usage accurately, ensuring employers receive reliable information rapidly. These tests excel in identifying multiple drug types, providing a comprehensive assessment of a subject's drug history.
Employers in Mitchell, IL find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace standards. This testing method reduces legal risks by adhering to strict policy guidelines and helps maintain a safe, productive work environment, enhancing overall organizational safety.
