Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When gathered close to the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively challenging to adulterate, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (resembling the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We advise measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair may be obtained. In context, head hair pertains specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This consists of ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drugs of misuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in the bulk of samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be legally admissible. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening need subsequent confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are drawn from the hair at notably lower concentrations than alternative methodologies (ex. urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening presents the greatest challenge among methodologies.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited in line with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though often termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself assesses the hair strand and not the follicle situated beneath the scalp.
In Hubbard, IA, hair follicle tests are becoming the preferred method over urine tests. The key advantage of hair tests is their superior detection accuracy and reliability. While traditional urine tests often have limitations, hair follicle testing offers an enhanced detection window and reduced likelihood of tampering, ensuring that results are both trustworthy and comprehensive.
Hair follicle testing in Hubbard, IA, provides an extensive detection window, making it invaluable for employers seeking comprehensive insights into an individual's substance use history. By offering the ability to detect drug use up to 90 days prior, hair tests furnish a detailed perspective of employee behavior, facilitating more informed hiring and monitoring decisions.
In Hubbard, IA, hair follicle testing is regarded for its resistance to tampering. This method decreases the chance of sample manipulation, offering unchallengeable results. Unlike other tests, which might allow adulteration, hair testing provides certainty through its stringent collection and examination processes, ensuring accuracy and integrity.
The convenience of widespread testing locations includes our centers in Hubbard, IA. With numerous facilities nationwide, accessing hair follicle testing is made easy and efficient. This widespread availability ensures minimal disruption to your schedule, offering quick and effortless testing solutions for individuals and businesses alike.
In Hubbard, IA, the process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and private. From ordering to obtaining results, the procedure is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. This ease of use addresses privacy concerns, ensuring a seamless experience while delivering accurate and dependable outcomes.
Affordable pricing and rapid turnaround are key advantages of hair follicle testing in Hubbard, IA. Competitive pricing structures, coupled with swift result delivery, provide companies with excellent value. This combination of cost-effectiveness and speedy service ensures satisfaction, catering to businesses of varying sizes.
In Hubbard, IA, the speed and precision of hair follicle drug testing stand out. These tests quickly deliver highly accurate results, making them ideal for sensitive scenarios. Unlike other methods, hair tests provide an assurance of reliability with their ability to accurately detect substances used over extended periods, ensuring informed decisions can be made with confidence.
For employers in Hubbard, IA, hair follicle testing offers compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By adopting this method, companies minimize legal risks while reinforcing safety standards. These tests meet regulatory requirements, thereby providing peace of mind and fostering a secure working environment. Hair testing is an essential tool for maintaining policy adherence.
