Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By encapsulating biomarkers within the hair strand's growing fibers, hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug use. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage over a period extending up to about three months. The collection process is straightforward, grooming the hair is somewhat hard, and shipping is convenient.
A sample of 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the circumference of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for screening and confirming. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's best to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. When scalp hair is inaccessible, a comparable volume of body hair may be collected. In terms of head hair, our focus is solely on scalp hair. Body hair includes other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary steps in the lab procedure for processing a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, samples are initially processed into the lab's system, ensuring they are sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry the electronic chain of custody system hasn't addressed.
Screening entails an initial swift assessment for substance abuse. While being a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal admissibility. All preliminary positive samples from Screening necessitate further confirmation.
In the case of a preliminary positive result during Screening, additional hair is drawn from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. This involves extracting drugs from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most challenging technique to execute.
Validation of any preliminary positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. If needed, all presumptive positive samples are washed prior to validation. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Validation is conducted in compliance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Often referred to as "hair follicle tests," this assessment examines the hair strand, not the scalp's follicle.
In Lockridge, IA, hair follicle tests outperform urine tests due to their enhanced detection capabilities. The longer timeframe of up to 90 days surpasses the short window of urine tests. This is crucial for employers to monitor ongoing or past substance use effectively.
The extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing in Lockridge, IA is unparalleled, capturing up to 90 days of substance use history. This comprehensive timeframe is invaluable for employers seeking a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's past behavior.
Employers benefit from this broad overview, making informed decisions that enhance workplace integrity and safety.
Hair follicle testing in Lockridge, IA provides a tamper-resistant solution to drug screening. The method's resilience to adulteration ensures that the results are trustworthy, leaving little to no possibility for false negatives or positives.
With testing centers across the nation, Lockridge, IA residents can access quick and convenient drug testing services. Nationwide coverage ensures that getting a test done is both easy and hassle-free, no matter where you are.
In Lockridge, IA, the hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. Ordering, conducting, and receiving test results is streamlined, providing an experience that respects privacy and ease of use.
Concerns about security and simplicity are addressed, making the process stress-free for all involved.
Our services in Lockridge, IA boast affordable pricing and quick turnaround times, ensuring great value without compromising quality. Businesses of all sizes appreciate the cost-effectiveness combined with the efficiency of hair follicle testing.
With fast and reliable result delivery, our commitment to providing excellent service remains unwavering.
Hair follicle drug testing in Lockridge, IA is known for its speed and accuracy. The tests are conducted swiftly, ensuring quick turnaround times that are critical for employers needing fast results. Accuracy levels in detecting drug and alcohol usage are exceptionally high, offering reliable data for crucial decision-making.
Lockridge, IA residents and employers benefit from precise results that these tests offer compared to traditional options. The method's ability to consistently identify substance use patterns reliably confirms its effectiveness.
Employers in Lockridge, IA find peace of mind through hair follicle drug testing's role in upholding workplace compliance. This method reduces potential legal liabilities while ensuring that employees adhere to drug-free workplace policies.
The enhanced safety and security derived from this approach enable organizations to maintain a secure and productive environment.