Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now acknowledged as an effective method to identify drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a prolonged history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When the hair is gathered close to the scalp, it can offer a detection timeframe of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, manipulating it is relatively challenging, and it is simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (akin to the circumference of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp results in 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample amount for analysis and validation. For EtG, supplements, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. Should scalp hair not be available, a comparable volume of body hair can be gathered. Head hair pertains solely to scalp hair; body hair includes any other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key stages in lab processing of a test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s records. This involves confirming the sample's sealed and correct shipment, designating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for illicit substances. While Screening is a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug presence in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be valid in legal settings. Any samples presumed positive in Screening demand a follow-up confirmation.
If the sample tests presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Preparation. During Extraction, drugs are drawn out from hair at far lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the difficulty of hair drug screening.
Validation of any positive initial results is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo a cleaning procedure before confirmation as needed. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined following CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Young America, IN, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing due to its enhanced detection capabilities. While traditional urine tests are limited in scope, hair tests provide extensive insights into individual substance use.
Benefits of Hair Testing:
Employers in Young America, IN gain crucial insights from hair tests, thanks to their extensive detection window, reaching up to 90 days.
This method empowers businesses with thorough evaluations of an individual's substance usage history, reinforcing informed decision-making in hiring or ongoing employment assessments.
The comprehensive nature of hair testing far exceeds the traditional 3-5 day detection of urine tests, offering a more complete perspective.
Hair follicle tests in Young America, IN, stand out as nearly tamper-proof, significantly reducing the chance of sample manipulation.
The nature of hair testing ensures that results remain uncontaminated and trustworthy, which is crucial for legal proceedings and workplace assessments. This security offers peace of mind in contrast with the susceptibility of urine tests to adulteration.
With testing centers conveniently located nationwide, including Young America, IN, accessibility to hair follicle drug testing services is unparalleled.
Residents in Young America, IN, can take comfort in the simplicity and confidentiality of our hair follicle test process.
From scheduling to obtaining results, every step is designed with privacy in mind, ensuring clients' peace of mind. Our straightforward procedure facilitates seamless order placements and secure result retrieval.
Our hair follicle testing in Young America, IN, boasts competitive pricing and swift result turnaround, making it an ideal choice for organizations big and small.
Hair follicle testing offers Young America, IN, rapid and precise substance detection, showcasing unparalleled accuracy.
From alcohol to complex substances, the reliability of hair tests ensures swift, irrefutable results, setting a benchmark in the industry. Businesses and courts alike trust their precision for reliable data.
Employers in Young America, IN, find confidence in hair follicle testing's ability to ensure a drug-free workspace and compliance with organizational policies.
With a trustworthy testing method, companies reduce legal risks and promote a safer work environment. The hair test's robustness contributes to maintaining integrity and peace of mind both legally and operationally.