Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair tests have emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substances by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When taken near the scalp, hair offers nearly a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drug use. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a similar weight of body hair can be gathered. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair strictly. Body hair includes every other hair type (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four crucial stages in the lab process for evaluating a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the introductory processing of a sample into a lab's framework. It encompasses confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling out any extra data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs an initial swift assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen needs verification to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that test tentatively positive in Screening need a follow-up confirmation.
If a sample proves tentatively positive during Screening, more hair is taken from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are withdrawn from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug testing the most complex methodology.
Verification of any positive screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation as required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often described as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Agency, IA, hair follicle testing stands as a superior alternative to urine testing with its enhanced accuracy in substance detection.
While traditional urine tests provide short-term insight, hair testing offers a broader window of detection, ensuring a more reliable assessment of an individual's drug history.
One of the standout features of hair testing in Agency, IA is its prolonged detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days prior.
This extended timeframe provides employers with invaluable information about an individual’s substance use history, assisting in making well-informed decisions.
In Agency, IA, hair follicle tests are renowned for their robustness against adulteration, significantly diminishing the risk of sample tampering.
The reliability of hair testing ensures that results remain accurate and trustworthy, fostering confidence in the testing process itself.
With numerous testing locations nationwide and in Agency, IA, accessing our drug testing services is both simple and convenient.
Our vast network of facilities provides seamless and hassle-free testing experiences for clients everywhere.
In Agency, IA, the process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and confidential.
Ensuring privacy and ease of use, our process addresses concerns, fostering a sense of security for all participants.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround times in Agency, IA, emphasizing value and cost-effectiveness.
Our services ensure companies of all sizes receive timely results without compromising on quality or affordability.
Hair follicle drug tests in Agency, IA have become synonymous with fast and precise outcomes, significantly outshining traditional methods in both speed and accuracy.
These tests excel at precisely pinpointing substance use, offering quick and trustworthy results that facilitate informed decision-making for employers, courts, and other entities.
Employers in Agency, IA can achieve peace of mind and compliance with workplace drug policies through hair follicle testing.
This method mitigates legal risks and promotes a safer working environment by ensuring adherence to drug-free protocols.
