Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair drug testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means to uncover substance use. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When hair is collected close to the scalp, it can reveal substance use up to about a 90-day period for drugs and alcohol. Collecting hair samples is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional features, and/or testing exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Measuring the sample is best done with a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. The term “head hair†specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory drug testing workflow encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing within the lab system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any missing information not captured by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening consists of a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to initially determine drug usage, any positive result must be confirmed to hold up in legal scenarios. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening need further Confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which accounts for the complexity of hair drug screening.
Positive Screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before Confirmation, preliminary positive samples are cleaned as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although colloquially known as "hair follicle tests," the procedure examines the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Peabody, KS, surpasses traditional urine testing through its superior detection accuracy and enhanced reliability. Employers find value in the extended detection window and higher resilience against test manipulation, ensuring a clearer substance use history compared to urine tests.
Extended detection timeframes make hair follicle testing in Peabody, KS, an invaluable tool. With results reflecting drug consumption over a period of up to 90 days, businesses gain insights into the long-term behaviors of candidates and employees, offering a comprehensive view of their substance history.
The security provided by hair follicle tests in Peabody, KS, minimizes the likelihood of sample tampering. By offering results that remain highly reliable and nearly impossible to falsify, these tests maintain the integrity needed for critical decision-making in sensitive environments.
With nationwide and local testing centers in Peabody, KS, Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access to services. The availability of multiple locations removes the hassle, allowing for swift and straightforward testing experiences, crucial for both employee screening and personal tests.
The seamless and confidential process of hair follicle testing in Peabody, KS, emphasizes privacy and simplicity. The ease with which tests can be ordered, conducted, and returned increases user trust and assures individuals of their personal data security.
In Peabody, KS, Accredited Drug Testing offers affordable pricing combined with swift turnaround times. Businesses, regardless of size, are assured of receiving maximum value, reinforcing their workplace integrity while keeping costs manageable and delivery speeds impressive.
In Peabody, KS, hair follicle drug tests offer a combination of speed and accuracy in identifying substance use. These tests are renowned for their precise outcomes, ensuring both employers and individuals receive trustworthy results. The efficient process delivers fast feedback, allowing decisions to be made promptly.
Employers in Peabody, KS, gain peace of mind and assure compliance with workplace drug policies by employing hair follicle testing. This method not only aids in maintaining a drug-free workspace but also mitigates legal risk, fostering a safer and more compliant work environment.
