Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has evolved into a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug presence by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Hair collected near the scalp enables a detection duration of roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to adulteration, and simple to transport.
A sample with a length of 1.5 inches, containing approximately 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp equates to 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not obtainable, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. It is important to note that the term head hair signifies scalp hair exclusively. Conversely, body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key phases in the laboratory processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This phase verifies the sample’s proper sealing and transportation, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any further data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a swift preliminary check for drug misuse. Although Screening offers a cost-effective way to discount drug use in most samples, confirming a positive screen is necessary for legal admissibility. Any samples that screen positive presumptively necessitate a secondary confirmation.
For samples that screen positive presumptively, more hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. During this phase, drug extraction from hair occurs at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is a reason for the complexity of hair drug screening techniques.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo a necessary wash before confirmation. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
It is critical to clarify that while often termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis does not examine the follicle beneath the scalp, but rather the hair strand itself.
In Mount Pulaski, IL, hair follicle testing markedly surpasses traditional urine tests. Not only does it offer an extended detection window for substances, but it also ensures greater accuracy. By analyzing samples taken directly from the scalp or body, hair tests avoid the pitfalls of short-term detection periods found in urine tests, thus providing a better reflection of an individual's substance use history. For reliable insights, hair testing proves superior.
Hair follicle testing in Mount Pulaski, IL, offers a much-lengthened detection window, exposing drug use over up to 90 days. This expansive timeframe is vital for employers who need a thorough understanding of an employee's past drug use, much more than typical substance tests. Businesses benefit from this complete view, ensuring potential hires align with company standards, providing peace of mind regarding workplace integrity.
One prominent advantage of hair follicle testing in Mount Pulaski, IL, lies in its tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other tests susceptible to adulteration, hair analysis minimizes the risk of altered results. The collection process itself involves stringent observation, ensuring the authenticity of samples. Employers and judicial systems gain confidence through such robust reliability, knowing that the results are unquestionably valid and unaltered.
Accredited Drug Testing's network extends across Mount Pulaski, IL, reflecting a widespread accessibility. Multiple convenient testing sites nationwide mean swift, seamless access to services. Whether for an individual or company-required testing, our locations minimize hassle, providing a straightforward avenue for drug testing needs. Our reach ensures no need to travel far for dependable, efficient testing solutions.
Ordering and conducting hair follicle tests in Mount Pulaski, IL is a straightforward, confidential process. From the initial request to receiving results, each step respects privacy and user-friendliness. Clients can expect a seamless experience, secure in the knowledge that their information is handled discreetly. This simplicity ensures that organizations and individuals can focus on the results and conclusions drawn, free from complex procedural hindrances.
Competitive pricing and rapid result turnaround make hair follicle tests in Mount Pulaski, IL an attractive choice for organizations of any size. By offering cost-effective solutions without sacrificing quality, Accredited Drug Testing provides significant value and efficiency. Quick processing times further emphasize our commitment to prompt, reliable service, positioning our offerings as both economical and effective for modern businesses.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests set them apart in Mount Pulaski, IL. They can accurately detect substance use with an exceptional degree of reliability. Testing procedures conducted in state-of-the-art laboratories ensure that hair follicle tests deliver fast, reliable results, providing crucial information swiftly without compromising data integrity. This speed and accuracy are valuable in both professional and legal settings.
For Mount Pulaski, IL employers, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free regulations, thus minimizing potential legal challenges. By implementing such reliable drug assessments, companies enhance workplace safety and maintain a standard of employment that aligns with their organizational values. Offering both compliance and peace of mind, hair tests bolster corporate responsibility and mitigate risks associated with substance use.
