Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a detailed account of alcohol and other drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of each growing hair strand. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to about a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample consisting of around 200 strands of hair (roughly matching the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or testing beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It’s advisable to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, we are specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The central steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and includes any extra data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal defensibility. Any samples presumptively positive in Screening require additional confirmation.
For samples presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than through other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most demanding method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Spring Grove, IL, far outweighs the benefits of traditional urine testing. Its superior detection accuracy captures up to 90 days of substance history, ensuring unmatched reliability and a comprehensive overview of one's drug use.
In Spring Grove, IL, hair follicle testing offers an extensive detection window, typically extending up to 90 days. This advantage allows for a more thorough examination of an individual's drug use history, proving invaluable for employers assessing potential hires.
Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the risk of tampering, providing robust and reliable results in Spring Grove, IL. These tests are virtually impossible to adulterate, ensuring that the findings remain trustworthy and credible.
With testing centers throughout the nation, including Spring Grove, IL, accessing our hair follicle testing services is both quick and convenient. Our extensive network ensures a hassle-free experience for all testing needs.
The hair follicle testing process in Spring Grove, IL, is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to testing and receiving results, each step is straightforward, making privacy and ease-of-use top priorities.
Spring Grove, IL, benefits from our competitive pricing and speedy turnaround times for hair follicle tests. We offer excellent value with our affordable services, catering to companies of various sizes.
The accuracy and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests in Spring Grove, IL, are unmatched. With their ability to precisely identify substance use, these tests provide results that are both reliable and timely, allowing for informed decision-making.
Employers in Spring Grove, IL, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, thereby lowering legal risks and promoting a safer working environment for all employees.
