Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a valuable resource in detecting substance use, both drug and alcohol-related. By embedding biomarkers within the fibres of hair that is actively growing, it effectively records past alcohol and drug intake. A segment of hair collected from near the scalp can reveal substance use patterns over approximately a 3-month interval. This method offers straightforward sample collection, is relatively tamper-resistant, and is easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil thickness) near the scalp yields around 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for both testing and confirmation. For EtG, extra panels, or where tests exceed 10 panels, a 150mg sample size is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weight measurement is recommended. If scalp hair is absent, the equivalent quantity of body hair is usable. When discussing head hair, the reference is solely to scalp hair. All other hair types, including facial and axillary hair, fall under body hair.
Process Overview
Processing a drug test result in the lab involves four chief stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the specimen first enters the lab system. This phase verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any required information not captured through an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as an initial, quick evaluation for substances of abuse. Despite being cost-efficient in ruling out drug use for the majority of samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be legally permissible. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample show presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this step, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than seen in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a complex methodology to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples indicating possible positivity undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. Every stage, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation conforming to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", this testing process analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Testing Outdoes Urine Testing: In Minden, IA, hair follicle testing stands out due to superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. While urine tests provide shorter detection, hair tests can trace drug presence over an extended period, offering comprehensive insight into an individual's substance use history.
Longer Detection Period: With the capability to reflect substance use over the past 90 days, hair follicle testing provides employers in Minden, IA, a broader perspective on an individual's drug use history. This extended detection window is invaluable for making informed decisions about hiring and maintaining a drug-free workplace.
Reliable, Tamper-Proof Testing: Hair follicle tests in Minden, IA, significantly mitigate the risk of sample tampering. Their inherent design makes adulteration extremely challenging, ensuring the integrity and trustworthiness of the results obtained, offering peace of mind for all stakeholders involved.
Widespread Testing Accessibility: Our nationwide testing centers, including those in Minden, IA, provide convenient, swift access to testing services. The availability of local centers ensures a seamless and expedited process for acquiring needed tests, emphasizing our commitment to accessibility and convenience.
Streamlined, Confidential Testing: The process for ordering, executing, and obtaining hair test results in Minden, IA, is both straightforward and confidential. Each step prioritizes privacy, ensuring that the procedure is both simple to navigate and secure for test takers, addressing any privacy concerns with confidence.
Competitive Pricing and Rapid Results: In Minden, IA, our hair testing services offer affordable pricing and quick turnaround times, delivering excellent value for organizations both large and small. Our cost-effective solutions ensure financial feasibility while maintaining high standards in testing accuracy and speed.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable: Hair follicle drug tests in Minden, IA, offer unmatched precision and swiftness, ensuring high accuracy in detecting substance use. The confidence in their results makes them the preferred choice for reliable substance abuse screening. These tests streamline the process of acquiring indisputable results quickly and efficiently.
Ensuring Compliance and Security: Employing hair follicle testing in Minden, IA, aligns with workplace drug-free policies, fortifying legal compliance and amplifying workplace safety. This method facilitates adherence to regulations, thereby reducing legal complications and promoting a safe occupational environment.
