Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug intake by encasing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When procured near the scalp, hair samples can offer a detection span of up to about three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.
An ample sample, measuring 1.5 inches in length with around 200 strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) cut near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional assays, and/or tests surpassing 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable volume of body hair may be utilized. When referring to head hair, this pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test result laboratory process involves four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the preliminary processing of a specimen into the laboratory’s system. This process ensures that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data input not available through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as the initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening provides a cost-efficient means to exclude drug usage across numerous samples, a positive screen requires Confirmation to be accepted in court. Samples with presumptive positivity in the Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.
When a sample is indicated as presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are drawn from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate methodology to execute.
Any positive screening outcomes are Confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before Confirmation as required. The full laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 guidelines.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Referred to as "hair follicle tests", the examination analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In State Center, IA, hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine tests in several ways. With a significantly longer detection window and increased accuracy, it can identify substance use that urine tests may miss. This makes it a superior choice for thorough drug screening.
Hair follicle testing in State Center, IA, offers an extended detection window, revealing drug use for up to 90 days. This comprehensive timeframe gives employers detailed insights into an individual's substance history, supporting informed decision-making.
Utilizing hair follicle tests in State Center, IA, markedly reduces the risk of sample tampering. This method ensures results are reliable and resistant to adulteration, providing undeniable accuracy and trustworthiness for drug testing.
With convenient nationwide and local testing centers in State Center, IA, accessing drug testing services is simple and hassle-free. Our widespread locations provide easy and quick access to essential testing facilities.
In State Center, IA, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each step is designed to prioritize privacy and ease, addressing any concerns individuals might have regarding confidentiality.
Accredited Drug Testing in State Center, IA, offers affordable pricing and quick turnaround times. These elements deliver excellent value, catering to businesses of all sizes by ensuring cost-effective solutions alongside speedy service delivery.
The process of hair follicle testing in State Center, IA, ensures fast, accurate, and reliable results, offering a precise method for detecting substance use. The technique's high accuracy is underscored by its ability to trace drug use effectively, ensuring trustworthy outcomes.
Employers in State Center, IA, can achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This testing method mitigates legal risks and enhances overall workplace safety.
