Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a comprehensive history of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's size) close to the scalp yields a 100mg sample, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or more extensive tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler's scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is absent, a similar quantity of body hair may be gathered. When discussing head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning denotes the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab's system. This procedure entails ensuring the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any needed additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Screening is a cost-efficient strategy to eliminate drug use in most samples, yet a positive screen must be verified for court admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require subsequent confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which contributes to hair drug screening's complexity.
Confirmation of any positive screening result proceeds through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive sample undergoes washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory operation, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is overseen according to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
The benefits of hair follicle tests over urine tests in Belmond, IA, are clear. Hair testing offers superior detection reliability and accuracy, making it a more effective choice when compared to traditional urine testing methods.
Enhanced Detection: Compared to urine tests, hair follicle tests deliver an extended detection window, providing a broader picture of substance use and therefore improving the robustness of the testing regime.
Hair follicle testing in Belmond, IA offers a detection window of up to 90 days, far surpassing the capabilities of other drug tests. This longer timeframe gives employers a detailed view of substance use patterns among employees or job candidates.
Comprehensive Insights: With the extended detection provided by hair tests, employers can better assess an individual's long-term substance use, which is crucial for maintaining a drug-free workplace.
In Belmond, IA, hair follicle tests significantly reduce the chances of sample tampering, providing trustworthy results. The method ensures a secure testing process, leaving little opportunity for manipulation.
Secure Testing: The robustness of hair follicle testing lies in its resistance to adulteration, which validates the authenticity of the results and enhances the integrity of the drug testing process.
Access to hair follicle testing is made convenient through our numerous local and nationwide centers, including those in Belmond, IA. This wide network ensures that individuals can quickly and easily obtain testing services.
Widespread Access: The availability of testing locations in various areas simplifies the process for all parties involved, reducing travel time and associated hassles.
The hair follicle testing process in Belmond, IA is designed to be simple and confidential, ensuring that individuals can order, take, and receive results effortlessly while maintaining their privacy.
Ease and Privacy: Our straightforward process alleviates concerns regarding confidentiality, making it user-friendly while keeping personal information secure.
Offering competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, our hair follicle tests in Belmond, IA provide companies with cost-effective and efficient solutions.
Great Value: With affordable pricing structures, businesses of all sizes can enjoy the benefits of high-quality testing without compromising on budget, while ensuring swift result delivery.
In Belmond, IA, hair follicle drug tests offer both speed and precision in detecting substance use. These tests are known for their remarkable accuracy, providing swift results that enhance the reliability of drug testing processes.
Fast and Reliable: Hair testing stands out for its quick processing time while maintaining high precision, ensuring dependable results that make decisions straightforward for various stakeholders in Belmond.
Employers in Belmond, IA gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, thanks to its alignment with drug-free workplace policies. Utilizing this method reduces legal liabilities while increasing workplace safety.
Policy Compliance: Hair testing supports compliance with drug-related workplace regulations, ensuring that employers meet legal standards and uphold safety and productivity in the workplace.
