Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective means for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair preserves a prolonged record of alcohol and drug substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, it can indicate drug and alcohol use for a window of up to roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 hair strands (akin to the circumference of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for assessment and validation. For EtG, enhancements, and/or screens beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If head hair isn't accessible, a comparable volume of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Procedure Outline
The process of assessing a drug test result in the lab encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s database. This entails confirming the sample's seal and proper shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic custody chain system.
Screening constitutes an initial swift assessment for drug presence. Although Screening offers a budget-friendly approach to dismiss drug presence in most samples, a further verification is vital for legal admissibility if the screen is positive. Every sample deemed presumptively positive in Screening must undergo subsequent confirmation.
Where a sample tests presumptively positive in the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are drawn out from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug screening the most complex technique to execute.
To confirm any positive screen outcomes, techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used. All presumptive positive samples are purified before confirmation as required. The full laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Challenges:
Note: Even though often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Choosing hair follicle testing over urine testing in Vernon, IL, highlights several advantages. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy, identifying substance use long after a urine test would. This draws a significant contrast, emphasizing the reliability and thoroughness of hair analysis. Employers benefit from a more comprehensive view of an employee's substance history.
Hair follicle testing in Vernon, IL, extends its capability to trace drug use over a much longer period—up to 90 days. This wide detection window is advantageous for employers seeking a thorough assessment of an employee's substance habits, offering insights into long-term usage patterns and promoting informed decision-making.
In Vernon, IL, the integrity of hair follicle tests significantly deters sample tampering. The process reduces adulteration risks, ensuring that results remain consistent and unquestionable. This offers employers confidence in the reliability of the drug testing process, safeguarding against manipulation.
Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenience for Vernon, IL, residents with a broad array of testing centers nationwide. Whether local or afar, access to our testing services is seamless and hassle-free, promising easy navigation to a location for every potential client.
In Vernon, IL, our hair follicle testing is marked by a simple and confidential process. From ordering to receiving results, the entire experience is designed to prioritize customer privacy and ease of access, ensuring that users feel secure every step of the way.
Vernon, IL, companies benefit from Accredited Drug Testing's competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times. Our services provide outstanding value, offering swift results and affordable rates, making them accessible and advantageous for businesses of various sizes.
In Vernon, IL, hair follicle testing stands out for its speed and accuracy in detecting substance use. The methodology boasts high precision, ensuring dependable results that employers trust. This is particularly critical in environments where safety and compliance are of utmost importance.
Employers in Vernon, IL, can rest assured that hair follicle testing guarantees compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This compliance reduces potential legal risks and enhances overall workplace safety. By adopting hair testing, employers gain peace of mind, knowing they are safeguarding their work environment effectively.
