Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of developing hair, it offers an extensive record of substance use. When harvested near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A sample consisting of 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing and validation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of hair. We suggest utilizing a jeweler's scale for precise measurement. Should scalp hair be insufficient, an equal quantity of body hair is an alternative. References to head hair exclusively pertain to scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other types (including facial and axillary).
Process Overview
There are four essential stages in processing a drug test at the lab: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This step verifies the sample's secure sealing and shipment, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addresses any extra data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. While it's a cost-efficient approach to largely eliminate drug use, a positive outcome necessitates confirmation to be legally valid. All samples testing positive in Screening require an additional confirmation step.
Should a sample yield a positive Screening result, more hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. In this step, drugs are isolated from hair in lesser concentrations than found in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underlining why hair drug screening is the most challenging to conduct.
Affirmation of any positive screening is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All preliminary positive samples undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The full lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Athol, KS, hair follicle testing often outshines traditional urine tests in several key areas. Detection Accuracy with hair testing is superior, allowing a more reliable identification of substance use.
Employers benefit from hair tests due to their extended detection timeline, offering a more comprehensive assessment than urine tests.
Hair follicle testing in Athol, KS, offers a much longer detection window, capturing drug use history up to 90 days.
This extended timeline allows employers to thoroughly evaluate an individual's substance use, giving a clearer picture of their behavioral patterns.
The robust methodology of hair follicle testing in Athol, KS, significantly reduces the risk of
sample tampering, ensuring the legitimacy of the results.
These tests offer a higher level of reliability and assurance to those requiring unambiguous outcomes in drug use evaluation.
Accredited Drug Testing offers the ease of nationwide locations, including convenient centers in Athol, KS, streamlining access to testing services.
This accessibility reduces delays, providing quick and hassle-free testing for all individuals and businesses alike.
Accredited Drug Testing in Athol, KS, highlights the straightforward and confidential process of hair follicle testing.
From ordering to receiving results, every step is managed with privacy and ease, addressing confidentiality concerns smoothly.
In Athol, KS, our hair follicle testing services are priced competitively, complemented by a fast turnaround, ensuring great value.
This efficiency and cost-effectiveness offer peace of mind to organizations of all sizes, supporting their drug-testing needs effectively.
Hair follicle drug tests in Athol, KS, are recognized for delivering swift, precise, and dependable outcomes. They stand out due to their exceptional accuracy in identifying substance use.
Precision and Speed are hallmarks of hair tests, providing reliable screening results rapidly. This ensures timely and informed decision-making.
For Athol, KS employers, hair follicle testing is key to ensuring workplace compliance and peace of mind, minimizing legal complications.
By employing this method, employers can enforce drug-free workplace policies efficiently, fostering a safe work environment.