Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ozawkie, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection window of up to about 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG, additional panels, or those exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair can be taken. When discussing head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial handling of a sample into a lab’s system. This process involves checking that the sample was properly sealed and sent, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial swift check for drugs of abuse. While it offers a cost-effective way to eliminate drug usage in the bulk of samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in court. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are derived from hair at a substantially lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is carried out under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter window.
• Difficult to fake: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Reveals historical data: It can uncover a trend of drug use over time, not just current use.

Limitations:

• Cannot spot recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair only after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the assessment focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ozawkie, KS

• Hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy over urine tests.
• Longer detection period and reliability make hair testing an ideal option.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Ozawkie, KS

• Hair follicle tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days.
• They provide employers with a complete picture of an individual's substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ozawkie, KS

• Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the risk of tampering with the sample.
• They ensure results are credible and indisputable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Ozawkie, KS

• Our extensive network of testing centers provides easy access to services.
• Efficient and stress-free testing processes are available nationwide.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Ozawkie, KS

• The testing process from order to results is straightforward and private.
• Concerns about privacy and usability are well addressed.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ozawkie, KS

• Our competitive prices and swift turnaround times offer remarkable value.
• These elements ensure peace of mind for businesses of any size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ozawkie, KS

• Hair follicle drug tests deliver swift and precise results, ensuring a higher accuracy level in identifying substance use.
• Their advanced methodology makes them a preferred choice for fast and indisputable outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ozawkie, KS

• Hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
• It reduces legal risks and enhances safety in the work environment.

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