Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The assessment of drug and alcohol presence through hair testing has become a robust method for detection. Hair encapsulates a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug exposure by incorporating biomarkers into the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair samples offer around a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. This method of collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch specimen of roughly 200 hair strands, approximately the size of a #2 pencil, sourced nearest the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the hair sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample is recommended. In cases where scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. The term head hair specifically denotes scalp hair. In contrast, body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, and so forth).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result encompasses four major phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a specimen within a lab’s system. This step involves ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data input that isn’t supplied through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening comprises a preliminary rapid analysis to detect drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly approach to potentially dismiss drug usage for most specimens, any positive result in Screening must be confirmed to be admissible in judicial proceedings. All samples showing a presumptive positive result in Screening necessitate an additional confirmation step.
If a specimen shows a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Preparation in the Extraction phase. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at a concentration lower than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluids), which attributes to the complexity of performing hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is achieved using methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as needed. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the guidelines of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", this test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Testing Excels Over Urine Testing
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Edmonton, KY, the differences are pronounced. Hair tests offer a wider detection window, ensuring a more comprehensive assessment of an individual's substance use history.
Extended Detection and Reliability
Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a window of up to 90 days. This gives a broader and more reliable picture of substance usage, advantageous for employers enforcing zero-tolerance policies.
Advantages of Extended Detection
Hair follicle testing in Edmonton, KY, allows the detection of drug use over an extensive period, up to 90 days. This expanded window provides employers with a deeper insight into a candidate's or employee's substance history, paving the way for informed decision-making.
Comprehensive Substance History
By covering a wider timespan, hair tests equip employers with a holistic view of an individual's drug use, enhancing workplace safety and policy enforcement.
Security of Tamper-Resistant Testing
In Edmonton, KY, hair follicle testing significantly curtails the risk of sample manipulation. This method ensures that test results are reliable and unaffected by tampering, providing a trustworthy foundation for drug testing.
Assured Integrity of Results
Employers can have peace of mind knowing that hair tests are nearly impossible to adulterate, affirming the authenticity of the findings and reinforcing the integrity of the screening process.
Convenience of Nationwide Testing
Accredited Drug Testing ensures accessibility through our widespread testing locations, including Edmonton, KY. Our extensive network facilitates quick and effortless access to testing services wherever you are.
Locally Focused Service
In Edmonton, KY, our local testing center provides fast and efficient service, ensuring individuals and businesses experience minimal disruption and maximum convenience.
Streamlined and Confidential Process
In Edmonton, KY, the hair follicle drug testing offered is both simple and confidential. Ordering and receiving results is straightforward, ensuring user privacy and ease at every step.
Ensuring Privacy and Efficiency
Our process is designed to protect individual confidentiality while maintaining efficiency, making it easy to manage without concern for privacy breaches.
Cost-Effective Testing Solutions
In Edmonton, KY, our hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, providing excellent value for organizations of any size. Our services guarantee peace of mind by combining affordability with rapid delivery of results.
Fast and Reliable Results
Our quick processing ensures that companies receive timely and accurate test results, supporting informed decision-making procedures.
Precision and Speed in Hair Follicle Testing
In Edmonton, KY, hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched accuracy and promptness in identifying substance use. With swift processing times, these tests ensure that results are delivered quickly, allowing for timely decisions in both workplace and clinical settings.
High Accuracy Standards
Hair follicle tests are renowned for their high precision, adeptly detecting even trace amounts of substances. This ensures a dependable result, which is crucial for establishing clear substance use histories.
Ensuring Compliance and Safety
For employers in Edmonton, KY, utilizing hair follicle testing means adhering to drug-free workplace policies with confidence. This not only aligns with regulatory standards but also mitigates legal risks and fosters a safer work environment.
Reducing Risks with Accurate Testing
Hair testing supports the enforcement of zero-tolerance drug policies while providing employers the peace of mind that comes with reliable and compliance-focused testing methods.
