Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective approach to identify drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers a prolonged historical record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in the strands of developing hair. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal a timeline of up to around 90 days for substance detection. This process is easy to undertake, is relatively resistant to tampering, and is simple to transport.
A segment of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, or testing above 10 panels, a 150mg sample size is advisable. It is best to weigh the collected hair on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not present, equivalent body hair can be utilized. Here, head hair specifically refers to scalp hair only, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
There are four principal phases in laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the phase where a sample is initially processed into the lab system, which entails ensuring that the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any lacking data entry that isn’t covered by an electronic chain of custody setup.
Screening consists of a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of misuse. While cost-effective, Screening serves primarily to exclude drug use in many samples; however, a positive screen mandates confirmation to hold legal validity. Samples that exhibit preliminary positivity in Screening will need subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample return a presumptive positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are isolated from hair at concentrations far lesser than other methods (e.g., urine, saliva), hence making hair drug screening one of the most challenging techniques.
Positive screening outcomes are verified via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Proper washing of all presumptive positive samples occurs before any confirmation, as warranted. The full lab process, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is subjected to scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair acknowledgment and is certified to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While frequently mislabeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the strand of hair rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing in Norwich, KS, presents a distinct advantage over traditional urine tests. Unlike urine tests, hair testing offers superior detection accuracy, capturing a more comprehensive history of substance use. This reliability makes it a favored choice for employers and institutions committed to maintaining a drug-free environment through meticulous and effective screening processes.
In Norwich, KS, hair follicle testing offers a substantial detection window, covering up to 90 days of substance use history. This extended period allows employers to have a thorough understanding of an individual's usage patterns, beyond the limited scope of urine tests. Such comprehensive insight is invaluable for making informed decisions about potential and current employees.
Hair follicle tests in Norwich, KS, significantly reduce the potential for sample tampering. Unlike urine samples, hair testing is exceptionally difficult to adulterate, ensuring the integrity and unquestionable reliability of the results. This robust method provides peace of mind to those requiring dependable drug screening solutions.
Accredited Drug Testing enhances convenience for the residents of Norwich, KS, with its extensive network of nationwide testing facilities. Locally accessible testing centers allow for quick, hassle-free drug testing services, ensuring individuals and businesses can easily comply with testing requirements without significant disruptions to their daily schedules.
The hair follicle testing process in Norwich, KS, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering, to sample collection and receiving results, the process prioritizes privacy and ease. This confidentiality ensures that individuals feel secure and reassured throughout the testing process, fostering trust in the service provided.
In Norwich, KS, hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times. Our pricing structures cater to businesses of various sizes, ensuring value for money without compromising on quality. The swift processing of results delivers peace of mind, making it a cost-effective choice for comprehensive substance screening.
In Norwich, KS, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its speed and precision. Hair tests offer a high degree of accuracy in pinpointing substance use, providing fast, reliable results. The efficiency of hair testing ensures quick turnaround times without compromising on detail, assuring stakeholders of the reliability and trustworthiness of results obtained through this methodology.
Employers in Norwich, KS, benefit greatly from hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By minimizing legal risks and elevating workplace safety, hair tests help maintain a well-regulated environment, granting employers confidence and peace of mind in the effectiveness of their drug prevention programs.
