Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis stands as an effective approach for identifying substance usage, encompassing drugs and alcohol. Hair strands capture biomarkers within their fibers, documenting long-term exposure to substances. Sampling hair near the scalp offers a detection period of roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipment is easily manageable.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising around 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil's width) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample size for screening and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or assessments over 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair isn't obtainable, a comparable quantity of body hair works as an alternative. References to head hair specifically imply scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair categories (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the sample's initial integration into a laboratory system. This involves verifying the sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing necessary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for the presence of drugs. While it's a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, positive results from Screening require confirmation to be legally acceptable. Any sample that tests presumptively positive in Screening needs a subsequent confirmation.
When a sample shows presumptive positivity during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this process, drug compounds are retrieved from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which accounts for the complexity of hair drug testing.
Positive screening results undergo Confirmation through techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptively positive samples are cleansed as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is conducted under scrutiny by the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why choose hair follicle over urine testing? Hair tests in Sterling, IL offer better detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a comprehensive history of substance use, making them a superior choice in screening.
Employers in Sterling, IL benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle tests, which covers up to 90 days of substance use history. This prolonged period gives a thorough insight into an individual's drug usage patterns.
In Sterling, IL, hair follicle testing stands out for its tamper-resistant nature. It significantly decreases the likelihood of sample tampering, ensuring results that are dependable and beyond question.
Our hair follicle testing centers are conveniently located both nationwide and in Sterling, IL. The readily accessible locations guarantee a quick, seamless testing process for everyone involved.
The process in Sterling, IL for hair follicle drug testing is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, the procedure maintains your privacy at every step.
Sterling, IL offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle tests. Exceptional value coupled with quick service makes us an ideal choice for organizations of all sizes seeking efficient testing solutions.
In Sterling, IL, the precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched. Hair follicle tests deliver fast, accurate, and reliable detection of substance use. Their advanced detection capabilities provide an accurate analysis, giving employers and individuals confidence in the results.
For employers in Sterling, IL, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It minimizes legal risks and boosts workplace safety, providing peace of mind for employers committed to maintaining a safe environment.
