Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an influential method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a prolonged history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the expanding hair strand. If taken from near the scalp, hair offers a detection window of roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect, relatively challenging to adulterate, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and around 200 strands (approximately the girth of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample in a lab's system. This includes confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data input not contained in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial quick assessment for drugs of abuse. Though a cost-efficient means to discern drug usage in most samples, a positive screen needs subsequent confirmation to be accepted in legal proceedings. Samples showing presumptive positives in Screening require a further confirmation step.
If a sample indicates presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a decidedly lower concentration compared to other techniques (i.e., urine or saliva), which makes hair drug screening a more challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being termed "hair follicle tests," the examination scrutinizes the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp
Why Hair Testing Over Urine Testing? In Kimball, KS, more employers and professionals are advocating for hair follicle tests owing to their superior accuracy. Unlike urine tests, which are limited to recent usage detection, hair tests evaluate substance intake over an expansive period, providing employers crucial insights.
When reliability matters, hair testing is the preferred choice due to:
Extended Detection Advantage Using hair follicle testing in Kimball, KS unveils a broader detection window, typically spanning up to 90 days. This extensive period affords employers an in-depth perspective into an individual's substance habits, far outclassing the limited timeframe of urine tests.
Key Benefits:
Guarding Against Tampering Hair follicle tests in Kimball, KS stand out for being tamper-proof, a significant concern with other testing methods. It's inherently resistant to sample adulteration, thus assuring stakeholders of uncompromised results.
Reasons for Preference:
Ease of Access Nationwide and Locally Our testing centers span across the nation, including within Kimball, KS, providing effortless access to drug testing services. This ensures quick, hassle-free testing availability.
Why It's Convenient:
Simplified and Discreet Process For residents of Kimball, KS, hair follicle testing guarantees a straightforward and confidential process. From ordering to results reception, privacy is prioritized alongside simplicity. Ensuring peace of mind:
Benefits Include:
Cost-Effective and Quick Services Kimball, KS businesses benefit from our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times for hair follicle testing. We provide exceptional value, ensuring companies can swiftly access dependable results without exceeding budgets.
Main Advantages:
Kimball, KS benefits from the rapid and accurate outcomes of hair follicle drug tests. This method ensures high precision in identifying substance usage, far surpassing other test types. The efficiency of processing these tests guarantees that results are not only reliable but also delivered in a timely fashion.
Key Advantages Include:
Boosting Employer Confidence Implementing hair follicle testing in Kimball, KS ensures adherence to workplace drug policies, mitigating legal risks. This testing method not only secures compliance but also enhances overall safety, offering reassurance to employers.
Top Benefits:
