Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of developing hair. When retrieved near the scalp, hair can offer up to a roughly 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient for shipping.
A recommended sample size of 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is an optimal amount for testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is suggested for measuring the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. Referring to head hair implies specifically scalp hair. Body hair covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing laboratory process involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning focuses on the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. It involves ensuring the sample’s seal and shipping were correct, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While it serves as a cost-effective method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal acceptance. Presumptive positive samples in Screening indeed require further confirmation.
For a sample with a presumptive positive screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other strategies (for instance, urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation for any positive screen result is accomplished through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive are cleaned prior to confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often described as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is performed on the hair shaft, not the follicle under the scalp.
Why opt for hair follicle testing in Nashville, IN? The advantages are crystal clear. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis boasts superior detection accuracy and dependability. Hair tests give a broader insight into substance use, unlike urine tests that only capture recent consumption. This evergreen choice ensures organizations uphold stringent drug-free environments with ease and efficacy.
The standout feature of hair follicle testing in Nashville, IN is its extended detection window. By analyzing drug use up to 90 days prior, this method arms employers with an extensive view of an individual’s history. This timeline aids in thorough background checks, reinforcing informed hiring decisions and fostering a safer workplace environment where history is acknowledged.
In Nashville, IN, tampering with hair follicle tests is a near impossibility. This testing methodology ensures tamper-resistant results, making information both credible and trustworthy. By greatly minimizing the risk of sample alteration, businesses can trust the results, bolstering confidence in their drug-testing processes while safeguarding company standards against manipulation.
Enjoy easy access to testing services with testing centers conveniently located nationwide, including Nashville, IN. Whether you're local or operating across multiple sites, our testing locations are quick to reach, simple to use, and hassle-free, ensuring that drug testing needs are met without unnecessary delays or complexities.
Experience a simple and confidential drug testing process in Nashville, IN. Ordering, participating in, and receiving hair follicle test results is streamlined to ensure user-friendly interactions. Concerns about privacy and data protection are addressed with care, fostering trust and transparency with all involved parties.
With competitive pricing structures and rapid responses, hair follicle testing in Nashville, IN offers exceptional value for businesses. Our affordable options and swift turnarounds provide peace of mind for companies regardless of their size, supporting fiscal stewardship while maintaining high professional standards in drug testing.
In Nashville, IN, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their fast and accurate results. These tests swiftly get to the core of drug use, offering reliable outcomes that employers can trust. Unlike traditional methods, hair testing presents a powerful tool in identifying substance use with unparalleled precision, ideal for stringent workplace settings. Speed and precision underpin their adoption.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Nashville, IN means adhering to workplace drug-free policies effortlessly. This not only ensures compliance but also grants peace of mind to employers. By reducing legal risks and promoting a secure workplace, organizations maintain a stable environment where operations run smoothly, unhampered by substance-related incidents.