Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now acknowledged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and drug use by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. Collected near the scalp, it can provide a detection window of up to around 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, or about 200 hairs (resembling the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg, the recommended quantity for examination and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is advisable. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent portion of body hair can be utilized. When we mention head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair includes other types (like facial or underarm hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of incorporating a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any data entry missing from an electronic custody chain system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drug presence. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to ascertain drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for legal validity. Samples suggesting positivity in Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.
If a Screening stage result is preliminarily positive, extra hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a reduced concentration level compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug tests the most challenging to administer.
Confirmation of any positive screen result entails GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumed positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if needed. Each step, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", they actually assess the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Annville, KY:
Hair testing stands out as a robust alternative to traditional urine testing.
Extended Detection Window in Annville, KY:
Hair testing provides an extensive detection timeline, key for comprehensive evaluations.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Annville, KY:
Employers can rely on the reliability and integrity of hair follicle drug tests.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Annville, KY:
Our widespread locations provide easy access for all testing needs.
Simple, Confidential Process in Annville, KY:
Our process maintains simplicity and confidentiality at every step.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Annville, KY:
Our offerings combine affordability and efficiency, aligning with diverse budgetary needs.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Annville, KY:
These tests are a dependable choice for employers seeking both speed and reliability in drug screening processes.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Annville, KY:
Hair testing supports employers in achieving compliance and workplace harmony.
