Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective approach for detecting substance use in both drugs and alcohol. By embedding biomarkers within the strands, hair offers an extended view of drug and alcohol history, capturing data over several months. When clipped near the scalp, it can reveal approximately a 90-day history of alcohol and drug consumption. Collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands, akin to the girth of a #2 pencil, provides an optimal 100mg for testing and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional screenings, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it's advisable to collect 150mg. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for drug testing encompasses four essential stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails registering a sample into the laboratory's system. This phase checks that the sample's seal and shipping meet standards, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any data entry not covered by electronic systems of chain of custody.
Screening provides an expedited preliminary assessment for substance abuse. While it's a budget-friendly method to exclude drug usage from most samples, a positive finding during Screening must undergo Confirmation to be legally valid. Thus, any presumptively positive samples proceed to a secondary confirmation process.
Should a sample be presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lesser intensities compared to other means like urine or saliva, making hair drug analysis the more complex technique to perform.
Positive screens are confirmed through processes like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before Confirmation as needed. Each laboratory practice, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly mistaken as "hair follicle tests," these tests actually examine the hair strand rather than the root under the scalp.
Comprehensive Detection: In Gem, KS, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by providing a longer detection window, capturing a comprehensive view of substance use history. It reliably records patterns up to 90 days back.
Enhancing Accuracy: Hair testing offers superior accuracy over urine tests, with minimal risk of tampering. Such reliability is critical for employers aiming to uphold drug-free workplace policies effectively, with greater assurance.
Reliable and Foolproof: Where urine tests might miss out, hair tests stand strong. With thorough and disciplined collection processes, the credibility of results remains indisputable, fortifying trust among employers and stakeholders alike.
Extended Insight: Unlike conventional methods, hair testing in Gem, KS extends a broad detection window of up to 90 days, offering more comprehensive insights into an individual's drug use history, which assists employers in making informed decisions.
Long-Term Monitoring: Hair follicle testing provides an enduring portrayal of usage patterns, advantageous for probationary monitoring or adhering to corporate policies, giving a thorough understanding beyond immediate past behavior.
Better Evaluations: This testing approach efficiently captures long-term substance use, making it a potent tool for background checks and ongoing assessments, enabling employers to identify recurring drug use consistently over time.
Reducing Risk: In Gem, KS, hair follicle drug tests significantly mitigate the risk of sample tampering, ensuring that the outcomes remain unbreached and trustworthy for employers to rely on, fostering a credible testing environment.
Secure Method: Unlike conventional urine tests, hair testing reduces adulteration possibilities, providing employers with clear results that withstand interference, reinforcing the integrity of the testing process.
Unwavering Reliability: Hair testing's built-in defenses against manipulation secure the authenticity of the results, helping maintain focus on accurate reporting, crucial for compliance with zero-tolerance policies.
Convenient Access: With testing centers both nationwide and locally in Gem, KS, hair follicle testing remains easily accessible, reducing logistical burdens for individuals and organizations alike, making testing straightforward.
Comprehensive Network: The convenience of a ubiquitous network of testing locations ensures swift service delivery, reducing wait times and offering prompt testing solutions tailored to your location and logistical needs.
Streamlined Services: Nationwide availability means reduced travel time and hassle, bringing convenience and efficient service closer to you, simplifying the testing experience for all involved parties.
Ease in Process: In Gem, KS, the process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is both simple and secure. The seamless method allows for a hassle-free experience from start to finish.
Confidential Procedures: Utilizing well-defined, confidential procedures, hair testing guarantees privacy in both the collection and result dissemination stages, addressing any fears regarding information security.
Transparent Handling: Every step of the hair testing process is transparent, aimed at easing concerns while providing users with clear instructions and reassuring results, asserting straightforward accessibility.
Competitive Costs: In Gem, KS, hair follicle testing is offered at affordable pricing tiers, providing excellent value without compromising on quality. This ensures that businesses of all sizes can access necessary tests economically.
Value and Efficiency: With quick turnaround times, hair testing offers both expedited service and cost-effectiveness, making it an attractive option for employers seeking timely and precise results without breaking the budget.
Budget-Friendly: Hair testing remains budget-friendly, facilitating cost management without losing on accuracy, thus supporting businesses in keeping up with compliance and safety protocols economically.
Precision in Detection: In Gem, KS, hair follicle drug tests provide an unparalleled level of accuracy and speed. These tests are adept at identifying substance use clearly and swiftly, backed by reliable methodologies that assure employers of the integrity of results.
Swift Outcomes: Thanks to advanced testing processes, hair follicle tests deliver results more quickly, enabling prompt decision-making. This rapid response is crucial for maintaining uninterrupted operations without sacrificing quality.
Dependable Accuracy: The high accuracy of hair follicle drug tests is unmatched in bringing out the true picture of substance use, offering clear guidance for management and ensuring trust in the results that are easy to interpret and act upon.
Ensuring Compliance: Hair follicle testing in Gem, KS aids employers in maintaining drug-free work environments, aligning with legal standards. This reduces potential legal repercussions and supports adherence to industry regulations seamlessly.
Promoting Safety: Reliance on hair tests boosts workplace safety by upholding substance-free policies, offering peace of mind to employers. It facilitates identifying issues promptly, minimizing risks, and ensuring safe workspaces.
Trust in Procedures: This test method reinforces trust, fostering an environment where policies are upheld consistently. Employers can breathe easy knowing testing practices are streamlined and devoid of uncertainties.
