Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers an extended history of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of hair as it grows. When acquired close to the scalp, hair can present a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands of hair (comparable to a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides around 100mg of hair, an optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additions, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement of the specimen is advised. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair may be obtained. References to head hair indicate scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary four phases entailed in the laboratory processing of a drug test result encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process includes confirming that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective measure for excluding drug use on most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for admissibility in legal proceedings. Any samples considered presumptively positive in Screening mandate a secondary confirmation.
If a specimen tests presumptively positive during the Screening stage, further hair extraction from the initial sample is conducted for Extraction. In this phase, drug extraction occurs from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation for any positive screening result is conducted utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples identified as presumptive positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not on the follicle underneath the scalp.
In Ludlow, KY, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in numerous ways. This method excels in delivering superior detection accuracy and reliability for substance use examination.
Advantages over urine testing:
One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Ludlow, KY is its extended detection window, reaching up to 90 days. This feature provides employers with a broad understanding of an employee's drug use history.
Key Points:
Hair follicle testing in Ludlow, KY is designed to be tamper-resistant, assuring businesses of trustworthy and indisputable results.
Security Highlights:
Residents of Ludlow, KY enjoy the comfort of having widespread and nearby testing facilities, offering seamless and stress-free access to testing services.
Convenience Features:
The hair follicle testing process in Ludlow, KY is straightforward and private, addressing concerns about privacy while ensuring ease of use from ordering to receiving results.
Simplicity Elements:
We offer competitive pricing and quick result processing for hair follicle testing in Ludlow, KY, providing excellent value for businesses of all sizes.
Cost-effective Benefits:
Hair follicle drug tests in Ludlow, KY are distinguished by their swift and precise results. They offer an unmatched level of accuracy in identifying substance use, efficiently meeting the demands of employers.
Benefits:
For employers in Ludlow, KY, adopting hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace regulations, significantly reducing legal complications and boosting safety.
Employer Benefits:
