Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now regarded as a robust method for identifying substance use. Hair captures a timeline of drug and alcohol consumption by securing biomarkers within the strands as hair grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer about a three-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and various drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, complicated to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from near the scalp provides 100mg, which is the optimal sample volume for screening and validation. For EtG, additional testing, or tests above ten panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's beneficial to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is lacking, an equivalent portion of body hair can be collected. References to head hair are specific to scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The core steps in lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step of integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This process includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is the initial rapid assessment for drug misuse. Although it’s a cost-efficient way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screening requires confirmation to be accepted in legal settings. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening mandate a secondary confirmation.
If a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology to conduct.
Any positive screening result undergoes Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The whole lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination actually analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Sharon Springs, KS, hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine tests in several areas. Offering superior detection accuracy and reliability, hair tests minimize false positives and reflect a comprehensive usage history. This level of precision ensures that solutions are based on detailed and reliable information.
Extended Detection Window
In Sharon Springs, KS, hair follicle testing provides a longer detection period, up to 90 days, compared to other methods. This extended window gives employers a detailed view of substance use histories, supporting informed decision-making in hiring and employee evaluations.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Hair follicle tests in Sharon Springs, KS, offer superior tamper resistance. These tests minimize risks of sample adulteration, thereby ensuring that organizations receive dependable and incontrovertible test results, underpinning trust in the testing process.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
Our vast network, including local centers in Sharon Springs, KS, simplifies drug testing. With easy access to our centers nationwide, individuals and organizations can enjoy seamless and prompt testing services, reflective of our commitment to convenience and accessibility.
Simple, Confidential Process
In Sharon Springs, KS, the procedure for hair follicle testing is straightforward and secure, ensuring privacy at every step. From ordering to receiving results, the process is designed with simplicity and confidentiality in mind, addressing any concerns over privacy and ease of use.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Offering competitive pricing alongside swift turnaround times, our testing services in Sharon Springs, KS, deliver excellent value. Organizations of every size can benefit from this affordability, gaining reliable test results without compromising on economy or quality.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Sharon Springs, KS, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and precision. These tests deliver results with high accuracy, effectively identifying substance use. With rapid processing times, individuals and organizations can trust in the reliability and thoroughness inherent in hair testing methods.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
For employers in Sharon Springs, KS, hair follicle testing is a powerful tool to ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By reinforcing these policies, companies mitigate legal risks and enhance the safety and well-being of their work environments.
