Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as a potent method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and various drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair offers up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to obtain, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches from roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp equals 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other varieties of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary procedures involved in laboratory handling of drug test outcomes are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into the lab's system. It includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any extra data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening refers to an initial swift assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers an economical approach to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in legal proceedings. All samples with presumed positive results in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample display a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are removed from hair at a much reduced concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug analysis is among the most challenging methods to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, every presumptive positive sample is washed as required. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guideline and is certified according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Garber, IA, offers clear advantages over urine testing. Detection accuracy and reliability are significantly enhanced. This method excels at identifying a wider window of substance exposure, outpacing traditional tests in effectiveness and trustworthiness.
Employers in Garber, IA, can benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window of up to 90 days. A comprehensive substance history of an employee or applicant can be evaluated, offering valuable insight into long-term drug usage.
Garber, IA benefits greatly from the robust nature of hair follicle tests, a method resistant to tampering. This approach minimizes sample adulteration risks, generating results that are both reliable and indisputable.
Garber, IA residents have convenient access to testing through our extensive network of nationwide centers. This service ensures quick, easy, and hassle-free testing, right near their location.
In Garber, IA, the process for conducting a hair follicle test is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure prioritizes privacy and ease, addressing common concerns about confidentiality and user-friendliness.
For businesses in Garber, IA, our hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround. This competitive financial model, coupled with quick results, ensures excellent value and reassurance for businesses of various sizes.
In Garber, IA, the efficiency and reliability of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched. Speed and precision are key advantages, providing accurate detection of substance use. The method bypasses many shortcomings of other testing techniques, ensuring trustworthy outcomes that act fast.
For employers in Garber, IA, using hair follicle testing heightens compliance and peace of mind. The process ensures adherence to drug-free workplace standards, mitigating legal risks and improving workplace safety.
