Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a potent method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair serves as a long-standing record of alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When procured near the scalp, hair offers a detection window of up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional measures, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, it is advisable to use 150mg of the hair sample. It is suggested to measure the sample weight using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, the same quantity of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test process in the laboratory consists of four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample into a laboratory’s database. This includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody protocol.
Screening involves a preliminary swift test for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be permissible in legal settings. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.
For samples that are presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), contributing to why hair drug screening is one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself is conducted on the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Why choose hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests in Medicine Lodge, KS? It's about unmatched detection accuracy and reliability.
Widespread among courts and substance abuse experts, these tests are essential for maintaining comprehensive drug use records.
The extended detection window of drug use is a significant advantage of hair follicle testing in Medicine Lodge, KS. With a detection span reaching up to 90 days, this testing method provides a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use.
Hair follicle drug tests in Medicine Lodge, KS, are renowned for being tamper-resistant. The risk of sample adulteration is considerably minimized, ensuring that the results are reliable and trustworthy.
This reliability is key when maintaining stringent drug-free environments.
Accredited Drug Testing offers unmatched convenience with both national and local test centers, including Medicine Lodge, KS.
Our nationwide presence ensures that drug testing is always within reach for individuals and businesses alike.
In Medicine Lodge, KS, the process of hair follicle testing by Accredited Drug Testing is both straightforward and confidential. From ordering to results, privacy is paramount and ease is assured.
Competitive pricing and swift service define the hair follicle testing approach in Medicine Lodge, KS. Whether for small or large companies, Accredited Drug Testing offers excellent value with prompt turnaround times, ensuring peace of mind and fiscal efficiency.
Clients appreciate the balance of cost-effectiveness and quick outcomes.
In Medicine Lodge, KS, hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their swift, precise results. These tests highlight enhanced accuracy in detecting substance use, making them a preferred choice for various stakeholders.
Employers rely on the precision of hair follicle testing to get a clear picture of an individual's history with substance use. This not only ensures workplace safety but also ensures trust in employees' integrity.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Medicine Lodge, KS, ensures compliance and peace of mind for employers. These tests help companies adhere to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and boosting workplace safety.
By choosing this method, employers can confidently assert their commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant working environment.