Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. If retrieved from near the scalp, hair can present a detection window for alcohol and drugs of nearly three months. Hair is straightforward to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to send.
A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) taken from nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels beyond 10, a specimen quantity of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair references all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial inclusion of a sample into a lab’s system. This incorporates ensuring the sample was securely sealed and shipped properly, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any supplementary data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening denotes an initial swift assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening provides a cost-efficient means to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screening needs verification to be legally viable. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.
In cases where a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), which accounts for the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that presumptively test positive undergo washing before confirmation as needed. Each stage of the lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and in accordance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually involves the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing outperforms urine tests in Cedar Bluffs, KS, showing greater detection accuracy and reliability over time.
The benefits of hair follicle testing include its superior detection window and resistance to tampering, unlike traditional urine tests. This offers an edge over conventional methods widely used in Cedar Bluffs.
Unlike other methods, hair follicle testing in Cedar Bluffs, KS, covers up to 90 days, providing employers insight into a job candidate's or employee's historical substance use.
The extended detection time of hair testing gives Cedar Bluffs employers a better understanding of long-term drug use, shedding light on behavior patterns over a lengthy period.
In Cedar Bluffs, KS, hair follicle tests are designed to be tamper-resistant, minimizing risks of sample alterations and ensuring trustworthy outcomes.
This testing method virtually eliminates concern over falsified samples, ensuring the integrity and reliability of results in Cedar Bluffs.
With numerous testing centers nationwide, including convenient locations in Cedar Bluffs, KS, accessing our services is seamless and stress-free.
Our Cedar Bluffs locations, along with our extensive national network, offer easy and quick access to hair follicle testing, ensuring optimal service coverage.
Our hair testing process in Cedar Bluffs, KS, is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns and ensuring ease of use for all involved.
The straightforward and private nature of the process in Cedar Bluffs allows for seamless test ordering, conducting, and receiving results with total discretion.
Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times in Cedar Bluffs, KS, provide companies with value and assurance, regardless of size.
Offering affordable solutions, our testing services ensure quick results in Cedar Bluffs, delivering peace of mind and cost-effectiveness to organizations.
The speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests deliver reliable results in Cedar Bluffs, KS. They precisely detect substance use, ensuring accurate findings for employers.
The precision of hair follicle testing ensures that employers receive fast and reliable results, making it a superior choice for accurate drug screening in Cedar Bluffs.
Hair follicle testing in Cedar Bluffs, KS, safeguards compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing the risk of legal issues and improving safety.
Assuring compliance and bolstering employer confidence, hair testing aids in maintaining a secure and safe workplace environment in Cedar Bluffs.
