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 record of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the strands during growth. When gathered close to the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use up to around a 3-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch length comprising approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair can be utilized. When we mention head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test result comprises four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Within Accessioning, a sample is initially integrated into the laboratory's system. This stage includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary quick evaluation for substance misuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient technique for excluding drug use for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Any Screening samples that show presumptive positivity require further confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is drawn from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples at this stage are washed appropriately for confirmation. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.
In Belknap, IA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by providing superior detection accuracy. While urine tests detect recent consumption, hair tests reveal a longer history of drug usage. With their long detection window and minimal fraud risk, hair tests offer a more thorough understanding of an individual’s substance use.
Hair follicle testing in Belknap, IA, offers a considerably wider detection window, effectively identifying drug use for up to 90 days. This extended evaluation period allows employers to gain a deeper insight into an applicant's or staff member's substance history, facilitating informed decision-making processes in hiring and management.
In Belknap, IA, hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant solution to drug testing, reducing the risk of sample adulteration. This reliability ensures that the results are both dependable and unquestionable, establishing a trustworthy foundation for organizations and individuals seeking accurate drug testing solutions.
With accessible testing centers nationwide, including in Belknap, IA, we offer an easy and convenient solution for drug testing. Our widespread network ensures prompt and stress-free access to our services, allowing clients to uphold requirements seamlessly, regardless of their location proximity.
In Belknap, IA, the process for hair follicle testing is both easy and confidential. From ordering to result delivery, each step is engineered to maintain privacy and simplicity. This process caters to businesses and individuals aiming for a discreet and user-friendly testing experience.
Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times in Belknap, IA, make hair follicle testing an attractive option. We deliver excellent value, ensuring companies of all sizes benefit from these affordable solutions, fostering a cost-effective approach to workplace substance identification.
The speed and precision of hair follicle testing in Belknap, IA, make it a favored method for detecting substance use. This testing not only ensures high accuracy but also delivers rapid results, providing individuals and employers with timely information. It is essential for workplace safety, offering reliable data promptly.
Hair follicle tests in Belknap, IA, offer employers compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thereby enhancing safety and reducing legal risks. These tests support a secure work atmosphere, contributing to the peace of mind for employers and ensuring adherence to legal and ethical standards without a hitch.
