Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drugs by incorporating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising about 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) located nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results comprises these four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is integrated into the laboratory’s database. This step includes ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary check for commonly abused drugs. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage for most samples, any positive findings must be confirmed for court acceptance. Presumptively positive samples in Screening necessitate a further confirmation.
If a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and is prepared for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to execute.
The Confirmation of any positive screening findings is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
In Hills and Dales, KY, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in several aspects. Currently used more frequently, it provides superior detection reliability and accuracy over extended periods. Unlike urine tests, hair testing can reveal drug use patterns over a longer window, providing a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance history.
One of the greatest advantages of hair follicle testing in Hills and Dales, KY, is its extended detection window. This method tracks drug use over a 90-day period, offering a thorough perspective of an applicant or employee's past substance use. The comprehensive view it presents is invaluable for employers aiming for thorough background checks.
Hair follicle tests in Hills and Dales, KY, provide a tamper-resistant testing method that significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. This leads to results that are both reliable and beyond question, ensuring peace of mind for test administrators and organizations that rely on accurate drug testing outcomes.
With a broad network of testing centers, both nationwide and local, in Hills and Dales, KY, getting a hair follicle test is both quick and hassle-free. Our convenient locations ensure that accessing testing services is a seamless experience, providing individuals and entities with straightforward and efficient testing solutions.
In Hills and Dales, KY, our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to obtaining results, each step prioritizes privacy and ease of use, ensuring that individuals feel secure and comfortable throughout the testing process. This streamlined approach alleviates concerns related to confidentiality and complexity.
We offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times for hair follicle tests in Hills and Dales, KY, delivering great value and assurance for companies, regardless of size. Our affordable rates ensure that businesses can maintain necessary drug testing protocols without incurring excessive costs, providing essential peace of mind.
The speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests in Hills and Dales, KY, are unparalleled. By detecting substance use with high precision, they provide fast and reliable results that are crucial for employers and institutions requiring quick assessments. Hair tests are not only rapid but also remarkably accurate, ensuring that the users have trust in the results they receive.
For employers in Hills and Dales, KY, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks while enhancing safety. This testing method offers employers peace of mind, knowing they are upholding high standards in maintaining substance-free working environments, thereby enhancing both safety and compliance.
