Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The ability of hair testing to detect drug and alcohol use has made it a valuable tool. By encasing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair, it offers an extended history of substance use. When taken from just above the scalp, hair samples can reveal alcohol and drug usage within roughly a three-month period. Collecting hair is straightforward, altering it is somewhat challenging, and it is easy to transport.
A sample of hair measuring 1.5 inches long, consisting of about 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil), cut close to the scalp provides 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, it is suggested to use 150mg of hair. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is advisable. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent measure of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair exclusively pertain to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary phases in processing a drug test sample in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the step where a sample is first processed into a lab system. This entails verifying the sample's seal and shipping integrity, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary examination to check for drug abuse. While this step is efficient in ruling out drug use for most samples, any positive results require confirmation to stand up in legal settings. Any samples with a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase must undergo a secondary confirmation.
If Screening yields a presumptively positive result, more hair is sourced from the initial sample to prepare for Extraction. At this phase, the aim is to extract drugs from hair at a substantially lower concentration than found in other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug screening is notably complex to execute.
Confirmation follows a positive screen result using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleaned before proceeding to confirmation as required. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Louisville, KS includes superior detection accuracy over urine tests. Hair tests provide long-term insights into substance use and are more reliable, making them preferable for definitive testing in critical situations.
In Louisville, KS, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window that can reveal drug usage up to 90 days in the past. This allows employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the substance history of candidates and employees.
Hair follicle tests in Louisville, KS present a tamper-resistant testing method. The nature of these tests significantly reduces the chance of sample adulteration, ensuring dependable and trustworthy outcomes.
Enjoy the convenience of nationwide and local testing centers in Louisville, KS. With locations nearby, access to our testing services is quick, easy, and hassle-free, making it simple for individuals and businesses alike.
Embrace a simple, confidential process in Louisville, KS for ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results. Our process addresses privacy concerns, ensuring ease of use for all clients.
Experience affordable pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle testing in Louisville, KS. Our pricing structures are competitive, offering excellent value and timely results for businesses of all sizes, providing peace of mind.
Experience fast, accurate, and reliable results in Louisville, KS with hair follicle drug tests. These tests offer remarkable speed and precision in detecting substances, ensuring high accuracy and actionable data for informed decision-making.
Employers in Louisville, KS achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. It aids in upholding drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal challenges, and boosting overall workplace safety.
