Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assessments are increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a chronological record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within its strands. When cut near the scalp, hair samples can offer up to around a 90-day window for detecting drugs and alcohol. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and validation. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, or exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for measurement is suggested. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair is acceptable. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (like facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test involves these four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of incorporating a sample into the laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample is properly sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data input lacking from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as a preliminary filter for substance abuse. Though Screening is a budget-friendly method to disqualify drug presence in most samples, a confirmed positive screen is necessary for legal acceptance. Samples that yield a preliminary positive in Screening require additional confirmation.
If a sample tests positive preliminarily during Screening, extra hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. In this phase, hair releases drugs at significantly lower concentrations compared to other specimens (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging to conduct.
Confirmed positive results in Screening are authenticated using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, all presumed positive samples are cleansed as dictated. The full laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliant with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the evaluation actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bancroft, IA comes down to superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests offer a much longer detection period, exposing substance use history that traditional urine tests might miss, thus making it a more effective option.
This comprehensive detection capability sets hair testing apart.
Extended Detection Window in Bancroft, IA is a standout feature of hair follicle testing. It can trace drug use up to 90 days prior, enabling employers to assess an individual's complete substance history.
This extended window is invaluable for ensuring the reliability and thoroughness of drug screening processes.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bancroft, IA is a critical advantage of hair follicle tests. The method ensures samples remain unadulterated, providing consistent and indisputable results.
Unlike other testing methods, hair testing minimizes the risk of being compromised, which is crucial for dependable drug testing.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bancroft, IA amplify the accessibility of testing services. With a broad network of centers, individuals can quickly and easily access testing services.
This ease of access ensures a hassle-free experience for both employers and employees.
Simple, Confidential Process in Bancroft, IA marks our hair follicle testing approach. The streamlined steps for ordering, conducting, and receiving results maintain privacy and simplify user experience.
This approach addresses privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use throughout the testing process.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bancroft, IA highlight the value offered by hair follicle testing. Our competitive pricing and rapid result delivery provide companies with cost-effective and efficient solutions.
This ensures organizations can make informed decisions promptly and economically.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bancroft, IA are ensured by hair follicle testing. It provides exceptionally accurate detection of substance use, allowing for precise and prompt assessments.
The speed and effectiveness of hair testing make it a top choice for those requiring fast results without compromising on reliability.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bancroft, IA is achieved through hair follicle testing, ensuring alignment with drug-free workplace policies. This mitigates legal risks and fosters a safer work environment.
Employers gain confidence in maintaining workplace integrity through reliable drug testing methods.
