Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly regarded as a robust method for discovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended overview of alcohol and drug exposure by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. If gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal up to around a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch segment containing roughly 200 strands of hair (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or assessments above 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial processing of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This includes confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical way to exclude drug usage on the majority of samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in court. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
If a sample is presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is removed from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to perform.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand itself rather than the hair follicle under the scalp
In Elkport, IA, the advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests include greater reliability and superior detection capabilities. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide an extended detection period and are less prone to manipulation.
Hair follicle testing in Elkport, IA, offers a substantial detection window of up to 90 days, unlike any other testing method. Employers receive a comprehensive insight into an individual's substance use.
Elkport, IA's hair follicle tests are a tamper-resistant solution, significantly lowering the risk of sample manipulation. The integrity and consistency of this method make it a preferred choice for accurate testing.
Conveniently situated testing centers across the nation, including Elkport, IA, allow for quick and stress-free access to testing services. Nationals centers mean no matter the location, quality testing is available.
In Elkport, IA, hair testing offers a simple and confidential approach, easy to order, take, and retrieve results. This ensures privacy and a straightforward experience.
Elkport, IA offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle tests, delivering excellent value to businesses of all sizes. These tests provide quick results at a reasonable cost.
Hair follicle drug tests in Elkport, IA, are known for their quick and precise results, offering a reliable method for detecting substance use. The thoroughness of analysis ensures that the results are both accurate and reflect any usage within the detection period.
For Elkport, IA employers, hair testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal dangers and enhancing safety. Peace of mind comes with knowing the environment is regulated and risks minimized.
