Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a potent means for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair serves as a long-term record for alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When hair is collected close to the scalp, it can offer up to around a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion of about 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and authentication. For EtG, add-on tests, and/or beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four principal steps in laboratory processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample within the laboratory’s system. This process includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any supplemental data that an electronic chain of custody system did not provide.
Screening performs an initial rapid check for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to rule out drug use for the majority of samples, a positive screening necessitates confirmation to be accepted legally. Samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.
If a sample appears presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening a most challenging technique to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if needed. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle below the scalp
Why choose hair follicle testing over the standard urine assessments? In Chelsea, IA, this approach is favored due to its heightened accuracy and reliability. Hair testing showcases a superior detection range, easily outpacing the limited scope of traditional urine tests. This method ensures a more comprehensive assessment of an individual's substance use history, granting peace of mind to those who need consistent and corroborated results.
For employers in Chelsea, IA, hair follicle drug tests provide an extended detection window, covering up to 90 days of a person's substance use history. This timeline affords employers a deeper understanding of potential or current employees' habits, bolstering informed decision-making. Compared to other testing options, this long-duration insight is invaluable for assessing individual reliability.
Combating sample adulteration is crucial. In Chelsea, IA, hair follicle testing remains tamper-resistant, ensuring the integrity of sample collection and analysis. This method substantially reduces manipulation risks, leading to results that are consistent and virtually indisputable. Consequently, stakeholders can rely on these assessments for trustworthy data.
With convenient access to testing both nationwide and locally in Chelsea, IA, getting a hair follicle test is straightforward and hassle-free. Our facilities are poised to deliver quick, accessible services, ensuring individuals and employers can fulfill their testing needs efficiently.
In Chelsea, IA, the simple and confidential process of hair follicle testing is designed to ease concerns over privacy. From ordering to sample collection and receiving results, each step is straightforward, ensuring users find the entire experience stress-free and secure.
Our pricing in Chelsea, IA, is both affordable and structured to provide outstanding value. Coupled with prompt turnaround times, these assessments offer companies small and large the peace of mind that comes from high-quality, cost-effective testing solutions.
Hair follicle drug evaluations offer unmatched precision and speed for those in Chelsea, IA. These tests can rapidly and accurately identify traces of substances, offering reliable evidence of drug use. Their efficient processing times ensure that results come swiftly, aiding employers and authorities alike in making informed decisions based on trustworthy findings.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Chelsea, IA ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies while reducing legal liabilities. This testing method not only supports a safer work environment but also grants employers much-needed peace of mind, aiding in upholding company policies rigorously and effectively.
