Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When sourced from near the scalp, hair can extend the detection window for drugs and alcohol to about 90 days. It is easy to collect hair, challenging to tamper with it, and simple to send for analysis.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising roughly 200 strands, equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil, close to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, which is an ideal amount for both screening and confirmation. For tests including EtG, additional components, and panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, the same amount of hair from the body can be used as a substitute. References to head hair pertain specifically to scalp hair. All other types of hair (such as facial and axillary) are categorized as body hair.
Process Overview
The processing of a drug test sample in the lab includes four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning starts with the sample’s initial entry into the lab’s system. This process verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any missing data not available from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs an initial check for the presence of drugs. Though screening offers a cost-effective means to dismiss drug use in most cases, a positive result requires confirmation for legal acceptability. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening must undergo additional confirmation.
Upon yielding a presumptively positive result during the Screening phase, more hair is prepared from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. This involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which explains the challenge of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screen result utilizes methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as needed. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is commonly misused; the test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.
In Crystal Lake, IA, hair follicle drug testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. The key benefit is the enhanced accuracy in detecting substance use over a prolonged period.
Hair testing provides superior detection capabilities, ensuring that any illicit drug use is identified more reliably than through urine testing, making it a trusted choice for employers and institutions enforcing strict drug-free policies.
In Crystal Lake, IA, hair follicle testing boasts a significant advantage with its extended detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days prior. This allows employers to assess an individual's long-term substance use patterns.
This comprehensive overview aids businesses in making informed hiring and retention decisions, ensuring a safe and efficient work environment through detailed substance history analysis.
Hair follicle testing in Crystal Lake, IA offers a robust defense against sample tampering. The testing method significantly reduces the risk of adulteration, providing reliable and unquestionable results.
With this tamper-resistant process, organizations can have confidence in the integrity of the testing procedure, making hair testing a secure choice for accurate and honest evaluations.
With convenient testing centers nationwide, including local options in Crystal Lake, IA, accessing hair follicle testing services is effortless. The widespread locations ensure a quick, easy, and hassle-free testing process.
This extensive network enables individuals and organizations to manage testing needs efficiently and without the stress typically associated with arranging appointments.
In Crystal Lake, IA, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, privacy and simplicity are assured.
This ensures peace of mind for those seeking testing services, addressing concerns about confidentiality and ease of access within a streamlined and secure procedure.
Affordable pricing and fast turnaround times are key features of hair follicle testing in Crystal Lake, IA. Our competitive pricing models ensure excellent value for businesses of all sizes.
With quick results, companies can make informed decisions without financial strain, enhancing efficiency while ensuring peace of mind through cost-effective services.
Hair follicle drug tests in Crystal Lake, IA stand out for their remarkable speed and precision. Compared to traditional methods, hair testing provides swift and highly accurate results, detecting substance use with unparalleled reliability.
Due to the advanced technology used, hair follicle tests deliver fast outcomes, allowing individuals and organizations to receive necessary information without delay, thereby aiding quick decision-making processes.
Employers in Crystal Lake, IA can achieve compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing, aligning with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety.
By adopting hair testing, companies ensure due diligence in upholding a safe working environment, contributing to a more secure and compliant business operation.
