Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now viewed as an efficient method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It archives a prolonged history of substance usage by incorporating biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When sourced close to the scalp, hair offers nearly a three-month window of detection for substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (approximately equivalent to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, an optimal quantity for both testing and confirmation. For EtG assessments, additional checks, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is advocated. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for measuring the sample weight. In instances where scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent measure of body hair can substitute. The reference to head hair specifically denotes scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other kinds of hair (including facial and axillary hair, etc.).
Process Overview
The overarching steps involved in the processing of a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial step of integrating a sample into a laboratory's protocol. This stage ensures that the sample is properly sealed and transported, allocates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfills any remaining data logging not catered to by an electronic custody system.
Screening entails an initial examination for drug presence. Although Screening economically dismisses the presence of drugs in most samples, a positive screen mandates verification for legal admissibility. Samples that test positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at concentrations lower than those required by other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening a challenging methodology to carry out.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if required. The complete process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) guidelines for Hair and accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although sometimes labeled "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Comparing hair follicle testing with urine testing in Lone Oak, KY, reveals clear benefits. Hair testing provides superior detection accuracy and reliability over traditional urine tests. The extended detection window of hair tests and their resilience against tampering make them a preferred choice for zero-tolerance policies.
Hair follicle testing in Lone Oak, KY offers an extended detection period of up to 90 days for drug use. This allows employers to obtain a comprehensive overview of an applicant or employee's substance history, providing a more reliable assessment of their drug use patterns.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Lone Oak, KY ensures that results are reliable and believable. This method significantly minimizes the possibility of sample adulteration, providing employers with unquestionable test outcomes.
With numerous testing locations available in Lone Oak, KY and nationwide, our testing services offer convenience and accessibility. These centers provide quick, hassle-free access to drug testing services, ensuring that needs are efficiently met on a timely basis.
The process for hair follicle testing in Lone Oak, KY is both simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving test results is streamlined to protect privacy and ensure ease of use, addressing any concerns about confidentiality and accessibility.
Hair follicle drug testing in Lone Oak, KY prides itself on affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times. This ensures excellent value for companies of all sizes, delivering peace of mind with competitive pricing structures and fast service.
In Lone Oak, KY, the precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched. These tests boast high accuracy levels in detecting substance use, ensuring reliable results swiftly. The technology involved ensures that results are both fast and accurate, making it an ideal choice for those in need of prompt and precise drug testing solutions.
Employers in Lone Oak, KY can achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle tests. These methods support maintaining drug-free workplace policies, reduce legal liabilities, and enhance overall workplace safety.
