Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly viewed as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains evidence of substance use over time by embedding biomarkers in its fibers as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for substances such as drugs and alcohol. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping the sample is convenient.
A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp, provides 100mg, which is optimal for screening and confirming. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary procedure of incorporating a sample into the laboratory’s system. This process ensures the sample is correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any missing data entry outside an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial swift evaluation for drug abuse. While it economically eliminates drug use for most samples, a positive screening must be substantiated to stand in legal proceedings. Samples that are presumptively positive during screening demand a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample test positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), a process rendering hair drug screening particularly complex.
Positive screening confirmations are carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Before testing, all presumptively positive samples are cleansed as required. The entire procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the actual analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Comparing hair follicle tests and traditional urine tests in Hustonville, KY reveals marked benefits for hair analysis. While urine may capture short-term use, hair delivers superior detection accuracy over an extended timeframe. Moreover, hair testing offers enhanced reliability with fewer opportunities for result manipulation, establishing it as a robust alternative for comprehensive substance evaluation.
Hair follicle testing in Hustonville, KY provides an extended detection window, tracing drug use for up to 90 days. This range affords employers a more thorough appraisal of a potential hire's or employee's substance-use record. By encompassing a longer span, it delivers a wide-reaching insight that urine tests, limited to recent use, simply cannot.
Hair follicle tests in Hustonville, KY are designed to be a tamper-resistant method of screening, sharply reducing the chances of sample adulteration. This leads to reliable and unquestionable results, providing organizations confidence and peace of mind in the authenticity and integrity of each screening conducted.
Convenient local and nationwide testing centers in Hustonville, KY ensure access to drug testing services that are swift and straightforward. Our widespread presence guarantees patrons can conduct tests hassle-free and without delay, enhancing the service experience by prioritizing simplicity and expedience across locations.
The pathway to drug testing in Hustonville, KY is defined by a simple and discreet process. From ordering to testing and receiving results, each step emphasizes privacy and user-friendliness. Clients benefit from a seamless experience that addresses and alleviates concerns about confidentiality and procedural clarity.
Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround, hair follicle testing in Hustonville, KY delivers significant value. Businesses, regardless of size, receive quality services coupled with cost-effectiveness. This approach not only ensures affordability but also provides clients with peace of mind bolstered by efficiency and comprehensive results.
In Hustonville, KY, hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and quick turnarounds in identifying drug usage. The high accuracy associated with this method assures reliability by detecting substances effectively. Patrons can expect fast and dependable results, positioning hair tests as a preferred choice in the community pivotal for informed decision-making.
In Hustonville, KY, aligning with workplace drug-free policies is more assured using hair follicle testing. This method aids employers in maintaining compliance, minimizing legal exposure and fortifying workplace security. By implementing hair testing, firms gain peace of mind, knowing they’re fostering a safer, regulation-abiding environment.
