Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. The fibers of a growing hair strand capture biomarkers, offering a long-term profile of alcohol and drugs. When collected near the scalp, hair provides up to about a 3-month window for detection of alcohol and substances. It's straightforward to collect, relatively impervious to tampering, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches with roughly 200 strands (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It's advisable to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four fundamental stages in a lab's drug test processing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to initial sample processing into a lab’s system. This involves confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs a preliminary rapid check for drug abuse. Though cost-effective to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be courtroom admissible. Samples presumptively positive in Screening need further confirmation.
For a sample presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen for preparation in Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS confirm any positive screening results. All samples showing presumptive positives are washed before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Elsmore, KS
In Elsmore, KS, hair follicle tests offer advantages over traditional urine tests, particularly in their detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing covers a longer timeframe, providing a more comprehensive evaluation of substance use compared to urine tests, which only show recent use.
Moreover, the advantaged detection span makes hair follicle assays superior, offering results that reflect consistent and past substance use, unlike urine tests which may miss habitual patterns.
Extended Detection Window in Elsmore, KS
Offering detection periods up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Elsmore, KS, provides employers substantial insights into a person's substance use history. This extended detection window enables a thorough assessment of an applicant or employee's past substance behavior.
Employers benefit from the prolonged detection range, granting clarity and confidence in understanding an individual’s sustained substance use history over a three-month period.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Elsmore, KS
Hair follicle tests in Elsmore, KS, are notably tamper-resistant, substantially lowering the risk of sample manipulation. These tests ensure the credibility and authenticity of results due to their inherent difficulty to adulterate.
The superior resistance to tampering assures that the outcomes are no doubt accurate, providing reliable insights into an individual's substance use without question.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Elsmore, KS
In Elsmore, KS, access to hair follicle testing services is both convenient and widespread through our extensive national network. These facilities ensure straightforward, expedited access to testing, simplifying the process for residents.
Nationwide centers guarantee hassle-free testing experiences, making it easy for individuals to obtain necessary testing without inconvenience.
Simple, Confidential Process in Elsmore, KS
The process of hair follicle testing in Elsmore, KS, is designed to be both simple and confidential, ensuring clients' privacy. From ordering to test completion, the procedure is straightforward, addressing any concerns regarding confidentiality and ease.
Clients can trust that their information remains protected, with a seamless, user-friendly experience from start to finish.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Elsmore, KS
Our hair follicle testing in Elsmore, KS, offers competitive pricing and quick result delivery, providing excellent value for businesses of any size. This affordability allows companies to maintain routine testing without budget strains.
Fast turnaround times ensure timely insights into substance use, enhancing the benefit to organizations needing swift verification of drug-free status.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Elsmore, KS
The precision and promptness of hair follicle drug tests in Elsmore, KS, are unparalleled. These tests boast high accuracy in detecting substance use, providing fast outcomes that are both dependable and insightful, offering peace of mind that the results reflect true substance history.
With accuracy levels that are challenging to match, hair tests swiftly deliver results that are both reliable and exact. Their reputation for precision ensures that individuals and employers can trust the findings.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Elsmore, KS
Hair follicle testing supports Elsmore, KS, employers in upholding drug-free workplace policies. This method assures compliance while diminishing potential legal embargos and elevating overall workplace safety.
Using such dependable testing techniques fosters peace of mind, knowing that substance use policies are met and the integrity of the workplace is maintained.