Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now regarded as a significant method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption, offering extended insight by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reflect a roughly 3-month detection span for substances like alcohol. It is straightforward to gather, relatively tamper-proof, and simple to courier.
Collecting a 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hairs (similar to a #2 pencil's width) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for both preliminary and confirmatory testing. For EtG tests, additional screenings, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is advised. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable volume of body hair is acceptable. In discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair alone, while body hair encompasses other types like facial or axillary.
Process Overview
The four primary phases in lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a sample into the lab’s database. This process incorporates ensuring the sample's seal and shipment were correct, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody mechanism.
Screening focuses on an initial fast review for substances of abuse. Though Screening efficiently rules out drug presence on most samples, a positive outcome necessitates confirmation to be legally permissible. Samples indicating a presumptive positive in Screening do need subsequent verification.
For samples flagged as presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. This phase involves extracting substances from hair at a lower concentration than found in alternative techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), showcasing hair drug screening as a more intricate procedure to perform.
A GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technique verifies any positive screening outcome. All samples with potential positive results are cleansed before validation as warranted. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair label and in line with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is frequently used, however, the test itself examines the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Oneida, IL: The advantages of hair testing over traditional urine tests are clear: superior detection accuracy, dependability, and a lengthy detection window, making it a more reliable option for identifying drug use.
Extended Detection Window in Oneida, IL: Hair follicle testing offers up to a 90-day detection period for drugs, providing employers with a more comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee’s substance use history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Oneida, IL: The robust structure of hair follicle tests minimizes the chances of sample tampering, ensuring that the results are both reliable and beyond reproach.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Oneida, IL: With a wide network of testing centers across the country, including local options, access to testing services is swift and hassle-free.
Simple, Confidential Process in Oneida, IL: The process for ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is straightforward and protected, ensuring privacy and convenience throughout.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Oneida, IL: Our pricing is competitive with quick result delivery, offering excellent value and reassurance for businesses of every size.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Oneida, IL: The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests provide accuracy in substance detection. This method is recognized for its reliability, offering fast and trustworthy results to both companies and individuals in detecting drug use.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Oneida, IL: Utilizing hair follicle tests helps employers maintain adherence to drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risk while promoting a safe working environment.