Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a robust approach for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term recorder of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can offer up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair—the ideal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, or analyses beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable volume of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically; body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves these four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample as it enters a lab’s system. This step includes ensuring that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
During Screening, an initial rapid evaluation for substances of abuse is conducted. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screening result requires confirmation to be acceptable in court. Any samples that are provisionally positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening poses the greatest challenge.
The Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as required. The full laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Saint Francis, KS, hair follicle tests stand out when gauged against conventional urine tests, offering a broader detection period. They provide enhanced accuracy and minimize the opportunities for tampering. This makes them the preferred choice for businesses prioritizing consistent substance oversight.
The extended detection window of hair follicle tests in Saint Francis, KS, allows for comprehensive assessments. Detecting drug use up to 90 days ago offers a deeper look into an individual's substance-related history. Employers are given a substantial timeline view, aiding in informed decision making.
Saint Francis, KS leverages hair follicle tests for their tamper-resistant nature. This method ensures reliable outcomes by significantly curtailing tampering risks, giving employers confidence in the authenticity and unchallengeable integrity of test results.
Convenience in Saint Francis, KS is ensured through widely accessible nationwide testing centers. These facilities simplify the process of obtaining a test, offering ease of access and expediency for any testing requirements across the country.
The process for taking a hair follicle test in Saint Francis, KS is both simple and confidential. It addresses potential privacy concerns, ensuring individuals can confidently engage in testing with straightforward ordering, testing, and result retrieval mechanisms.
Providing cost-effective solutions, Saint Francis, KS hair follicle testing highlights affordable pricing coupled with swift turnaround times. These features bring notable value, catering to both small and large businesses with timely, organized results.
Experience fast and accurate hair follicle drug testing services in Saint Francis, KS. These tests are renowned for their high precision, providing reliable identification of substance use. Their ability to quickly analyze and produce clear results makes them an essential tool for employers and individuals needing confident and timely feedback.
Using hair follicle testing, employers in Saint Francis, KS can foster peace of mind by adhering to drug-free workplace policies. This practice minimizes legal complications and bolsters the safety and productivity of the work environment, proving its value as a compliance tool.
