Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an insightful method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term history by holding biomarkers within the fibers of its growing strand. When samples are taken near the scalp, the detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs can extend to around three months. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to send.
Gathering a 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimum amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, or panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is preferable. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is absent, equivalent body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Four primary stages form the laboratory process in deriving a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This encompasses confirming the sample's proper sealing and transportation, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient technique for ruling out most drug use cases, a court-admissible positive result necessitates confirmation. Any samples indicating presumptive positivity in Screening must undergo additional confirmation.
For presumptive positive samples in the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations much lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair screening is among the most challenging methodologies to execute.
Confirmation of positive screens is undertaken through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, any presumptive positive samples are cleansed as required. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", this analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing excels over traditional urine tests in West Burlington, IA, due to its superior accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair testing offers a longer detection period and is less susceptible to tampering. For employers seeking a thorough drug screening method, hair tests provide a more comprehensive overview of substance use.
Employers in West Burlington, IA benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle drug tests, which can reveal drug use up to 90 days prior. This longer timeframe grants a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history, assisting employers in making informed decisions about candidates and employees.
Hair follicle testing in West Burlington, IA, significantly reduces the chances of sample tampering. This method is robust against adulteration attempts, ensuring reliable and unquestionable results. By utilizing a monitoring process during sample collection, the integrity of the test is maintained.
With convenient testing locations both nationwide and locally in West Burlington, IA, accessing hair follicle drug tests is hassle-free. Our wide network of centers provides quick and easy testing services, ensuring that individuals and organizations can obtain the assessments they need without delay.
The hair follicle drug testing process in West Burlington, IA is straightforward and confidential. With an easy-to-follow sequence for ordering and taking tests, alongside secure result handling, this method addresses privacy concerns while maintaining simplicity and efficiency throughout the testing experience.
West Burlington, IA offers affordable pricing and prompt turnaround for hair follicle drug tests. Our competitive rates combined with fast results deliver excellent value, catering to the needs of businesses of all sizes, ensuring cost-effective and reliable testing solutions.
In West Burlington, IA, the precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests stand out. With an ability to detect substance use with high accuracy, these tests provide reliable outcomes swiftly. Their advanced technology ensures that results are not only fast but also accurate, offering peace of mind to those who require quick turnaround times.
Employers in West Burlington, IA find peace of mind and compliance with workplace policies through hair follicle testing. This reliable testing method mitigates legal risks and enhances safety, ensuring that organizations adhere to drug-free environment standards and promoting a healthy workplace culture.
