Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as a significant method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. It captures a long-term record of these substances through biomarkers encased in the strands of growing hair. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month detection span for alcohol and other intoxicants. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and conveniently transported.
A 1.5-inch sample consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t an option, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in processing a drug test result in the lab: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial stage of processing a sample within a laboratory’s protocol. This step verifies the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry that isn’t covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary and fast assessment for prohibited drugs. While it is a cost-effective method to eliminate most drug usage cases, a positive screen must be confirmed to hold up in legal settings. Samples with an initial positive result from Screening require subsequent confirmation.
Samples with potential positive results in the Screening phase undergo further Extraction, during which drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations much lower than in other tests (e.g., urine or oral fluid). This difficulty makes hair drug screening the most challenging testing method.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process—from Accessioning to Confirmation—is reviewed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often called "hair follicle tests", these tests actually analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests in Richfield, KS, the advantages become clear. Hair testing far surpasses traditional urine tests in terms of accuracy and reliability. The detection period for drug use is significantly longer with hair testing, often up to 90 days, as opposed to a mere few days with urine tests.
The robust nature of hair tests ensures employers and authorities gain more comprehensive insights into an individual's substance history, allowing for better-informed decisions based on reliable evidence.
In Richfield, KS, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing offers employers a thorough overview of an individual's substance use history, spanning up to 90 days. This comprehensive window provides detailed insights that are invaluable when evaluating potential or current employees.
Having such a long detection period means employers can see the broader picture, ensuring they have all necessary information to maintain a drug-free workplace. This extensive range in testing eclipses the limited scope of other testing methods.
Hair follicle testing in Richfield, KS, offers a tamper-resistant method that significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration. The robust nature of these tests provides reliable and unquestionable results, contributing to the credibility of the process.
Due to the difficulty in tampering with hair samples, these tests increase accuracy and eliminate doubts, ensuring that the results are both valid and trustworthy for both employers and individuals concerned about authenticity.
With testing centers located across the nation, and locally in Richfield, KS, accessing hair follicle testing services is both quick and convenient. This nationwide network ensures hassle-free, efficient testing procedures for all clients.
The convenience of having nearby centers eliminates unnecessary travel and time constraints, allowing individuals and employers to access necessary testing services with ease, thereby streamlining the entire testing process.
Ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests in Richfield, KS, is a straightforward and confidential process. Privacy is a priority, ensuring individuals feel secure throughout the testing procedure.
The simplicity of the process not only eases use but also eradicates unnecessary stress, allowing individuals to focus on the results and their implications rather than worrying about privacy concerns or complex procedures.
Richfield, KS, offers hair follicle testing services with competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, providing businesses of all sizes with excellent value. The affordable pricing structures make it accessible without compromising quality.
The swift processing of results coupled with reasonable costs ensures that businesses enjoy peace of mind, knowing they can maintain compliance and safety without stretching their budgets excessively.
In Richfield, KS, hair follicle drug testing offers unparalleled precision in substance detection. These tests quickly and accurately identify substance use, making them a preferred choice. Their high accuracy ensures that businesses and authorities receive reliable results in a timely manner.
Unlike other methods, hair tests provide fast turnaround times without compromising on accuracy, thus enhancing the efficiency of the testing process. This makes them an ideal solution for anyone looking to obtain dependable results swiftly.
Employers in Richfield, KS, benefit from hair follicle testing as it strengthens compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Utilizing this method lessens legal risks and improves workplace safety by offering accurate and comprehensive drug use results.
The hair follicle test ensures peace of mind for employers, as the extended detection period and reliability of the results support a safe and compliant work environment. This reliability is instrumental in delivering the assurance needed in maintaining workplace standards.
