Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for monitoring drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. Hair obtained near the scalp can offer up to a three-month detection range for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and uncomplicated to transport.
A sample from a 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (about the girth of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for testing and affirming results. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. The sample should ideally be measured using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be sourced, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically imply scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first stage where a sample is logged into the laboratory system. This step includes confirming the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data logging not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as the initial rapid inspection for the presence of drugs. Although it provides a cost-efficient means of eliminating drug use in most samples, any sample yielding a positive screen must undergo confirmation for legal admissibility. Any presumptively positive samples from Screening require further confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive in the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at lower concentrations than other techniques (for example, urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to conduct.
The confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis conducted involves the hair strand and excludes the follicle situated beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Testing Excels over traditional urine analyses is evident in University Park, IA. The heightened detection accuracy of hair tests ensures better substance tracking, surpassing urine tests.
In University Park, IA, hair follicle testing's extended detection period is a game-changer. The 90-day window offers insights into an individual's substance use, proving valuable over shorter-term methods.
Employers gain a historical perspective on employees’ habits, fostering informed decision-making based on comprehensive data.
Preventing tampering with hair follicle samples significantly reduces adulteration risks. In University Park, IA, this assurance facilitates provision of dependable results.
Convenient Testing Locations make accessing drug testing in University Park, IA, simple. With centers spread nationwide, the process is streamlined, eliminating hassle.
Whether local or across the country, our centers provide swift, uncomplicated access to essential testing services.
Simple and Private processes define hair testing in University Park, IA. From ordering to receiving results, confidentiality is prioritized, catering to privacy-conscious clients.
The straightforward procedure, coupled with assured discretion, makes this testing method user-friendly and unobtrusive.
In University Park, IA, affordable pricing paired with rapid turnaround characterizes our hair testing services. Competitive rates deliver excellent value, accessible to businesses of all sizes.
By providing quick results, organizations minimize downtime while staying financially efficient.
The speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests ensure they stand out in University Park, IA. Offering rapid and reliable results, these tests adeptly detect substance use, furnishing stakeholders with precise data.
Reliable Outcomes come from thorough methodologies, making hair testing a smart choice. Its proficiency in identifying drug use provides legitimate, actionable results that aid decision-making.
In University Park, IA, ensuring compliance through hair follicle testing reinforces workplace safety and legal adherence. Its role in upholding drug-free policies keeps organizations compliant.
Employers gain peace of mind knowing they're legally protected while fostering a secure, drug-free environment.
