Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol abuse. Hair provides a long-term record of alcohol and other drug usage by retaining biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected close to the scalp, it can offer a detection span of up to around 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, it is solely in reference to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the preliminary processing of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This encompasses verifying that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary quick analysis for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in a legal context. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening need secondary confirmation.
If a sample is presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a substantially lower concentration than within other approaches (ex. urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp
In Pleasantville, IA, the superiority of hair follicle testing over traditional urine testing is increasingly evident. Hair tests exhibit enhanced detection accuracy and reliability, providing a robust barrier against drug misuse and policy violations. While urine tests are limited in their detection window, hair analysis unveils a broader history of substance use, granting employers and entities a deeper insight into individuals' behaviors.
The extended detection window of hair follicle tests in Pleasantville, IA proves invaluable for employers. Unlike urine tests, hair sampling can reveal substance use spanning up to 90 days. This long-term monitoring capability offers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance habits, fostering informed hiring or retention decisions and supporting efforts to maintain a drug-free work environment.
The integrity of hair follicle testing in Pleasantville, IA is unmatched, providing a tamper-resistant method that assures employers of reliable results. The difficulty involved in adulterating hair samples results in highly dependable outcomes, reducing the risk of falsification and guaranteeing trustworthy detection of drugs, which is essential in environments where safety and honesty are non-negotiable.
Accredited Drug Testing boasts numerous nationwide and local testing centers in Pleasantville, IA, ensuring convenient access to superior testing services. This network alleviates the stress of locating a nearby facility, allowing quicker, straightforward interactions for individuals needing testing. With centers ubiquitously available, accessibility is never a hurdle in obtaining necessary drug testing services.
In Pleasantville, IA, Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes a simple and confidential approach to hair follicle testing. Our process of ordering, sample collection, and result delivery is designed to ensure privacy and ease for users. Understandably, concerns about confidentiality in testing are significant, and we rigorously manage our procedures to uphold trust and discretion throughout.
Choosing hair follicle testing in Pleasantville, IA with Accredited Drug Testing guarantees competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, enhancing value for employers of all sizes. Our service not only promises cost-effectiveness but also ensures rapid results, empowering companies to make integral decisions swiftly while keeping financial considerations in check.
Hair follicle testing in Pleasantville, IA provides fast, accurate, and reliable results crucial for making informed decisions. The methodology ensures accurate detection of substance use, allowing for timely and effective intervention. Speedy processing of samples guarantees that essential data is delivered promptly, an essential factor for employers needing swift evaluations of their workforce's compliance with drug policies.
For employers in Pleasantville, IA, leveraging hair follicle testing assists significantly in sustaining a drug-free workplace. This testing method supports compliance with workplace regulations, facilitating adherence to safety protocols and minimizing legal liabilities. Consequently, employers gain peace of mind knowing their operations align with industry standards and are less exposed to potential infractions.
