Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The analysis of hair has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides a record of alcohol and drug use over an extended period by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over a span of up to three months. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches, containing roughly 200 strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or screenings beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advocate measuring the hair sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary phases in laboratory processing for drug test results consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This step involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional entries not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive result requires Confirmation to be valid in legal scenarios. Samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample produce a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence why hair drug testing is one of the more challenging methodologies.
Verification of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as required. Every stage from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often mislabeled as "hair follicle tests", this analysis evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle below the scalp.
When it comes to substance detection, hair follicle testing in Benton, KY, outshines traditional urine tests. Hair testing advantages lie in its capacity to showcase a more extensive history of drug use, providing dependable and consistent results. Thus, ensuring greater accuracy and reliability, significantly cutting down on deceptive attempts compared to urine tests.
Hair follicle testing offers an extensive detection timeframe, capturing drug usage up to 90 days prior. This prolonged window allows employers in Benton, KY, a thorough understanding of an individual's past substance use. Such an expansive view aids in making informed decisions regarding applicants or current employees, underpinning the premise for compliance and safety in the workplace.
In Benton, KY, the hair follicle testing methodology provides a tamper-proof approach to drug screening. This method reduces the chances of sample tampering or contamination, guaranteeing results of unmatched reliability and credibility. Such an approach fortifies the test's integrity against any attempts at circumvention, thus ensuring confidence in outcomes.
Enjoy hassle-free access to drug testing through our local and nationwide locations in Benton, KY. Designed for convenience, our network ensures that no matter where you are, accessing our expert testing services is just a step away. This vast reach eliminates concerns about proximity, facilitating quick and easy testing.
The hair follicle testing process in Benton, KY, is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, each step is designed with privacy and simplicity in mind to address concerns about data security and ease of use. This ensures a seamless experience for all individuals involved in the testing process.
Offering affordable testing solutions balances pricing with rapid result delivery in Benton, KY. Our competitive pricing structure provides companies with an excellent cost-to-value ratio, ensuring financial efficiency alongside swift turnaround times. This makes us a preferred choice for businesses of varied sizes aiming to maintain budgetary constraints without compromise.
The precision and velocity of hair follicle drug testing in Benton, KY, are second to none. With their unparalleled accuracy, these tests assure reliable detection of any substance use over time. Results provided are both swift and dependable, establishing hair testing as a benchmark in the drug screening sector, thus facilitating forensic and occupational needs with adeptness.
Employers seeking assurance in workplace safety can rely on hair follicle testing in Benton, KY. This method aids in enforcing drug-free policies stringently, reducing potential legal complications. It not only ensures compliance but also enhances the overall security and sanctity of the workplace environment, providing peace of mind for employers.
