Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assays are now viewed as a robust mechanism for spotting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a long-standing record of substance use by capturing biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. When sampled near the scalp, hair offers approximately a three-month surveillance period for drugs and alcohol. Hair is easy to gather, moderately resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment with roughly 200 hair strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) taken nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the ideal quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or panels exceeding 10 tests, a 150mg sample is suggested. It's advisable to gauge the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent measure of body hair is permissible. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key four phases in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial sample handling into a lab's system. This process checks if the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any extra data not available through an electronic chain-of-custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screen needs validation to be admissible in court. Any sample indicating a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo a secondary verification.
In cases where a sample reveals a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at notably low concentration levels compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.
Confirmation for any affirmed positive screening result is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often labeled as "hair follicle tests," the examination itself evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Palmer, IL, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests. With superior detection accuracy, hair testing provides a reliable examination of drug use by identifying substance consumption over a more extended period. Unlike urine tests, which focus on short-term use, hair testing captures a comprehensive overview of drug habits, making it a valuable tool for employers and organizations dedicated to maintaining a drug-free environment.
Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, making it invaluable for employers in Palmer, IL. This method provides a thorough view of an individual's drug use history, far beyond the capabilities of other testing methods.
For those looking for a comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee's substance habits, hair testing stands out as the most informative option.
In Palmer, IL, the hair follicle testing method is a tamper-resistant solution for drug screening. The procedures involved make it extremely difficult to adulterate samples, ensuring the integrity and reliability of results.
By minimizing the risk of sample tampering, hair testing offers employers and authorities trustworthy and undeniable evidence of substance use.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing facilities both nationwide and in Palmer, IL. Streamlined accessibility ensures businesses can quickly administer tests without hassle. With a network of locations, finding a nearby center is never an issue, making the testing process stress-free and efficient for companies and individuals alike.
In Palmer, IL, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results is straightforward, assuring privacy and ease of use. Individuals can be confident in the discreetness of the process, knowing their information is handled with care and professionalism.
Palmer, IL benefits from our competitive pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle tests. Our affordable rates provide value to companies of all sizes, with results delivered swiftly for peace of mind. The combination of cost-effectiveness and speedy service makes hair testing an attractive option for budget-conscious organizations.
In Palmer, IL, hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of these tests ensures high accuracy, enabling detection of substance use with confidence. Speed is of the essence, and our streamlined process guarantees quick turnaround times.
Choosing hair testing means embracing a method that's as precise as it is quick, ensuring you get the answers you need without delay.
For employers in Palmer, IL, hair follicle testing provides compliance and peace of mind. Ensuring adherence to drug-free policies reduces legal risks and bolsters workplace safety. By utilizing hair testing, companies can trust in the reliability of the results and the protection of their operations from the influence of substance abuse.
