Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly acknowledged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers in the fibers as it grows, offering a long-term record of substance use. When taken close to the scalp, hair provides a detection window for alcohol and drugs of up to about 3 months. It's easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, it's advisable to use 150mg of the specimen. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary).
Process Overview
The four critical phases in lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the introductory step where a sample enters the lab system, ensuring it was secured and transported correctly, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any extra data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. While it's cost-efficient for ruling out drug use in most cases, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.
In cases of presumptive positive screens, more hair is taken from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are extracted at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate method to execute.
Any positive screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positives are washed if necessary. The whole process from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation by ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is actually performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Waldron, KS
Hair follicle tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to urine tests.
They provide a longer drug detection period and are nearly impossible to manipulate.
Extended Detection Window in Waldron, KS
Hair follicle drug tests allow for substance use detection over a period extending up to 90 days.
This gives employers a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s history, enhancing decision-making on employment or regulatory concerns.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Waldron, KS
The reliability of hair follicle tests is unmatched due to their resistance to tampering.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Waldron, KS
Our network of nationwide testing centers offers hassle-free access to drug testing services.
Simple, Confidential Process in Waldron, KS
Ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns head-on.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Waldron, KS
Hair follicle testing in Waldron offers competitive prices and swift result times.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Waldron, KS
Hair follicle drug tests deliver results with exceptional precision and speed. This testing method offers high accuracy in detecting substance use well compared to traditional tests, ensuring you have reliable data for informed decisions.
Employers in Waldron appreciate this reliable, efficient testing option.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Waldron, KS
Utilizing hair follicle testing assists companies in aligning with workplace drug-free policies.