Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Regarded as a formidable instrument for identifying substance and liquor consumption, hair testing offers a prolonged historical record of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the growing hair's fibers. Collected near the scalp, hair can provide roughly a 90-day period of detection for substances. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion encompassing about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample amount for both testing and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or screenings over 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of the sample. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. If there's an absence of scalp hair, equivalent body hair can be utilized. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair only whereas body hair covers other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test result processing within a lab involves four chief steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes initial sample incorporation into the laboratory's system, ensuring proper seal and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry beyond an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs an initial overview to check for drug abuse. Though cost-effective for ruling out drug use in many samples, positive screenings can't be court-admitted without confirmation. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive during Screening, additional strands are extracted from the initial specimen for Extraction. Here, substances are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), marking hair drug screening as the most challenging process.
Confirming any positive screening is accomplished through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All presumptively positive samples undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Notice: Routinely termed as "hair follicle tests", in reality, the examination targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Oak Forest, IL, lies in its unmatched detection capabilities. Hair tests offer an expansive detection window, capturing a detailed drug history unlike traditional urine tests. This increased accuracy and the long window make it superior in assessing substance use.
The Extended Detection Window offered by hair follicle testing in Oak Forest, IL, covers drug use over a substantial period of up to 90 days. This gives employers a thorough insight into an individual's drug history, aiding in informed hiring decisions.
Using a Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Oak Forest, IL, hair follicle tests drastically cut down on the possibility of sample tampering. This makes the outcomes dependable and verification foolproof, setting it apart from other testing methods.
The presence of Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations paired with local sites in Oak Forest, IL, offers the luxury of seamless and efficient testing services. This network ensures that accessing testing centers is hassle-free and prompt.
Through a Simple, Confidential Process in Oak Forest, IL, clients find it easier to book, undergo, and receive results of hair follicle tests. This assures privacy and streamlines the entire testing journey.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Oak Forest, IL, make our services particularly appealing. Businesses benefit from competitive rates accompanied by swift processing times, guaranteeing great value for all company scales.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Oak Forest, IL, ensure a high level of precision in identifying substance use. Hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their swift and efficient analysis. The reliability of these tests not only helps in quick decision-making but also builds trust in their efficiency.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Oak Forest, IL, is achieved through hair follicle testing, which upholds workplace drug-free policies effectively. This reduces legal exposure and improves the safety standards within the organization.