Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of drug and alcohol use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer approximately a detection period of up to 3 months for substances like alcohol and other drugs. It's straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair might be taken. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair refers to other kinds of hair (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing involved in determining a drug test result consists of four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning requires the initial entry of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This encompasses verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry lacking from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening acts as a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.
If a sample shows presumptive positivity at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is the most challenging method.
Confirmation for any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleaned as needed. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Burdick, KS, hair testing is favored over urine testing for comprehensive drug screens. Its superior detection and reliability grant confidence to employers and agencies alike.
While urine tests offer short-term analysis, hair tests present a robust and encompassing view of substance use.
The hair follicle test excels in its extended detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days, offering Burdick, KS employers deep insights into substance history.
Such a timeline allows for a more comprehensive understanding of substance use patterns across quarters.
Hair follicle testing drastically reduces the risks of tampering, ensuring trustworthy results for Burdick, KS stakeholders. Its robustness deters dishonest sampling practices.
Employers benefit from results that are not only reliable but also resistant to manipulation, providing peace of mind.
Accredited Drug Testing boasts strategic nationwide centers, including Burdick, KS, streamlining drug test access. These locations assure easy, stress-free testing services for every client.
The network's convenience ensures timely and efficient testing, enhancing accessibility and client satisfaction.
Our drug testing process in Burdick, KS is both simple and confidential, ensuring ease of use and privacy from order to result delivery.
Clients appreciate a streamlined experience that respects confidentiality while providing clarity and convenience.
Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, Accredited Drug Testing in Burdick, KS, delivers outstanding value. This combination aids businesses of all sizes in maintaining a drug-free environment.
Efficient operations and cost-effectiveness bolster our reputation as a leader in drug testing solutions.
The hair follicle drug test delivers fast, precise, and trustworthy outcomes in Burdick, KS. Its superior technology enhances accuracy, providing detailed insights into substance use.
Employers can expect prompt results, ensuring informed decisions for workplace safety and compliance.
In Burdick, KS, hair testing supports workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks and bolstering workplace safety standards. Employers gain a compliance edge easily.
Such a method fortifies the zero-tolerance stance many companies uphold, fostering trust and security.
