Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug screening in Burt, Iowa. Those in need of a hair drug or alcohol screening can rely on our expertise in hair testing, with centers nationwide, ready to serve you. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of scalp or body hair is required for the procedure. Our hair tests can be tailored to detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, and more.
In recent times, drug testing methods have shifted towards hair follicle testing. This method is increasingly mandated by employers, courts, and Substance Abuse professionals, preferred over traditional urine tests. Hair follicle tests are ideal for workplaces with zero-tolerance policies, the judiciary, and individuals on probation. The significant advantage lies in the longer detection period—up to 90 days—and the difficulty in tampering, though urine tests remain most effective within a 5-day detection window.
* You must register by phone or online to receive your donor pass/registration prior to proceeding to the testing center. You must bring a valid government issued ID along with the registration/barcode number which was sent to you by email.
When you're searching for hair drug testing near me or hair drug testing locations, we provide a simple and convenient process to find a drug and alcohol testing location near you that is certified to provide all of your drug and alcohol testing needs.
Hair testing has increasingly been recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the continuously growing hair strand. If collected near the scalp, this hair sample can provide an approximate 3-month detection period for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands (resembling a #2 pencil in size) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, it's recommended to use 150mg of the specimen. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If no scalp hair is available, an equivalent quantity of body hair should be collected. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the stage where a sample is initially processed into a lab's system, including verification of proper sealing and shipping, the assignment of an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody platform.
Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening provides a cost-effective method to eliminate drug use suspicion in most samples, a screen indicating positivity must be ratified to be valid in legal proceedings. Any samples suspected of positivity during Screening require additional validation.
Should a sample suggest a positive result during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is extracted and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than those in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation for any positive result detected in screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria, and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand itself rather than the follicle situated below the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests in Burt, IA, the former stands out for its advanced detection capabilities. Hair tests offer superior reliability, exposing drug usage over a longer span.
Employers in Burt, IA, benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle tests, revealing substance histories up to 90 days. This method grants a clearer insight into an applicant's drug use over recent months.
Hair follicle tests in Burt, IA, are designed to be tamper-resistant, making it difficult to alter test results. This secure methodology ensures the integrity of the test outcome.
The convenience of our Burt, IA, testing centers ensures hassle-free access to nationwide services. Our network is designed for easy test administration, making compliance straightforward.
In Burt, IA, our simple and confidential testing process guarantees privacy and ease. Ordering and receiving results is designed to be straightforward and secure.
With competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, our Burt, IA, testing services offer exceptional value. Businesses can expect rapid service and affordability, enhancing peace of mind.
In Burt, IA, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its precision, ensuring fast, accurate outcomes. Unlike other methods, these tests can identify substance use with high accuracy.
Employers in Burt, IA, achieve compliance with workplace drug policies through hair follicle testing, which diminishes legal risks and promotes safety. Businesses enjoy peace of mind knowing their drug-free workplace policies are upheld.