Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has increasingly been recognized as an effective means for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands preserve a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period extending up to about 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches comprising approximately 200 strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional parameters, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, it's advisable to collect 150mg. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. In this context, head hair specifically denotes scalp hair. Body hair includes other types like facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The primary four stages involved in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample into a lab’s framework. This involves confirming the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data inputs absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial, rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screen warrants confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample appear presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. This stage entails removing drugs from hair at a much reduced concentration compared to alternative methods (for instance, urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation for any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, as required. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Catharine, KS lives in the superior detection capabilities of hair testing. Where traditional urine tests offer limited windows, hair tests provide broader accuracy, detecting a wider use history. Reliability is enhanced with hair testing, eliminating the common weaknesses found in urine methodologies.
Extended Detection Window in Catharine, KS positions hair follicle testing as unmatched for comprehensive substance history insight. This test's ability to detect drug usage up to 90 days enables employers to assess more accurately an individual's behavior and reliability, compared to shorter-term alternatives.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Catharine, KS significantly diminishes adulteration risks. Hair testing provides results that are credible and robust, minimizing sample manipulation chances that could skew assessments, thus offering trustworthy outcomes.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Catharine, KS include numerous sites for quick access. Accessible, streamlined services cater to employers and individuals, ensuring test completion without hassle across locations.
Simple, Confidential Process in Catharine, KS is crucial for user trust. Steps are straightforward, preserving privacy while providing clear, accessible delivery of results, ensuring all parties remain informed without burdening users.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Catharine, KS offer companies of varying sizes economical testing solutions. Our pricing strategy supports competitive edge while ensuring results arrive swiftly, reinforcing value and reducing waiting periods.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Catharine, KS ensure employers get clarity in substance use detection. Hair follicle tests excel with their precision, offering results that reflect an individual's substance history accurately. This speed ensures seamless integration into employment processes.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Catharine, KS is achieved through hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free policies. Legal risks diminish, enhancing safety and providing a work environment built on trust and clear expectations.