Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lengthy record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers in the strands' fibers as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage for up to around 90 days. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of roughly 200 strands (approximately as thick as a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg, the optimum quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. It is recommended that the sample be weighed on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be taken. When mentioning head hair, only scalp hair is implied. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is entered into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and includes any extra data entry absent in an electronic custody chain system.
Screening serves to quickly identify potential drug misuse. Though Screening offers a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug use in most cases, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be legally valid. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
Should a sample prove tentatively positive during Screening, additional hair is separated from the original and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair in much lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug testing the most complex method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is accomplished via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All tentatively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Orange City, IA, hair follicle testing is deemed superior to urine tests. The accuracy of hair testing makes it more reliable, as it can detect drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine's shorter window. Hair tests resist adulteration, ensuring authentic results, while urine tests are more prone to tampering and yield less reliable results.
Employers in Orange City, IA, benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window. This method provides a comprehensive view of substance use over the prior 90 days, offering more insight than the shorter detection period of other tests. As a result, employers gain a clearer understanding of potential hires or current employees' substance use patterns.
Hair follicle testing in Orange City, IA, is renowned for its tamper-resistant nature. This testing method greatly minimizes adulteration risks compared to other tests, ensuring reliability and integrity in results. Employers and authorities can thus trust the findings' accuracy, which hasn't been compromised by tampering attempts.
Testing in Orange City, IA is convenient with our network of nationwide centers. Whether local or beyond, individuals have easy and swift access to testing facilities, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free testing process. This convenience helps eliminate delays in time-sensitive situations where prompt results are critical.
Orange City, IA offers a clear and private process for hair follicle testing. The straightforward procedure from ordering to results safeguards privacy and makes testing accessible to all. With confidentiality as a priority, individuals can confidently undergo testing without concerns about privacy breaches.
In Orange City, IA, hair follicle testing is both affordable and quickly delivered. Competitive pricing structures ensure that all companies, big or small, can access quality testing services without financial strain. Fast turnaround times mean prompt results, enhancing value and reliability in the service rendered.
In Orange City, IA, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its speed and accuracy. With swift detection capabilities, it efficiently identifies substance use, providing precise and reliable results promptly. This ensures that both individuals and institutions can trust the validity of the reports, enabling prompt decision-making processes.
In Orange City, IA, hair follicle testing ensures workplace compliance and offers peace of mind. By aligning with zero-tolerance policies, it minimizes legal risks and promotes workplace safety. Employers remain confident that policies are followed and that their workforce maintains a safe and drug-free environment.
