Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a long-term record of substance use, as hair strands capture markers within their fibers as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can reflect up to around a 90-day period of substance use. Collecting it is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
Taking a 1.5-inch portion from approximately 200 hairs (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the best sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional components, or when testing over 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If there's no scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all alternative hair types (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in laboratory processing for drug testing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is about integrating a sample into the lab’s system. This step involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, giving it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any extra data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs a quick preliminary check for drug substances. While it's a budget-friendly approach to dismiss possible drug use in many samples, positive results need confirmation to qualify for legal acceptance. Any samples suggesting a positive result during Screening must undergo additional confirmation.
In the case of a presumptively positive result during Screening, more hair is then extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are isolated from the hair in much lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which makes hair drug analysis the most technically challenging method.
All positive results from the screening process undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positives are washed as needed. The whole lab process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the process actually analyzes the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In Albert, KS, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests due to its extended detection capabilities and consistency. Hair testing ensures superior accuracy, making it the preferred choice for precise substance detection.
Compared to traditional urine samples, hair tests offer more reliable and comprehensive insights into an individual's drug history, improving trust in test results.
Hair follicle testing provides a broad detection range, observing substance intake for up to 90 days. This allows Albert, KS, employers to view a detailed history of substance usage, enhancing the employee evaluation process.
With its extensive detection window, hair testing gives insight into long-term substance behaviors, making it a comprehensive tool in maintaining workplace integrity.
Hair follicle testing in Albert, KS, drastically cuts down the risk of sample tampering. The robustness of the hair collection technique ensures that the results are trustworthy and safe from manipulation.
By significantly minimizing adulteration chances, hair tests present undeniable accuracy, upholding the reliability of drug testing processes.
Our testing centers, spread nationwide and locally in Albert, KS, offer unmatched convenience. They ensure prompt, seamless, and stress-free testing service access.
The vast network of locations exemplifies our commitment to ease of access, reducing the burden of finding suitable, nearby testing providers for all clients.
The hair testing process in Albert, KS, is straightforward and private, enabling ease from ordering to receiving results. This minimizes discomfort regarding privacy while emphasizing user-friendliness.
Clients' concerns over confidentiality are addressed with this streamlined approach, which integrates simplicity with secure data handling.
In Albert, KS, our hair testing services boast competitive pricing and swift result delivery. This combination rewards businesses of all sizes with excellent value and confidence.
By integrating affordable solutions with fast turnarounds, we optimize resource efficiency, proving advantageous for diverse organizational requirements.
Hair follicle testing in Albert, KS, stands out for its unmatched precision and quick processing time. The method ensures highly accurate readings of substance use, leaving minimal room for error or misjudgment.
Renowned for its speed, hair testing promptly delivers results, aiding in quick decision-making processes. The blend of accuracy and efficiency ensures confidence in assessments.
Employers in Albert, KS, gain compliance peace of mind with hair testing, aligning with drug-free policies and curtailing potential legal complications. This practice enhances workplace security and adherence to regulations.
By implementing such rigorous testing measures, businesses can maintain a balanced and secure working environment, safeguarding both legal interests and employee welfare.
