Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive historical record of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers in the hair strand's fibers as it grows. A sample collected near the scalp can provide a detection window of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair samples are straightforward to obtain, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches in length and consisting of about 200 strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for test screening and verification. For EtG, supplemental tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is suggested. We advocate for the use of a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample weight accurately. If scalp hair is non-existent, an equivalent portion of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning denotes the initial sample processing into a laboratory's system. It involves verifying proper sealing and shipment of the sample, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening includes a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening serves as a cost-effective method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to hold up in legal settings. Any samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening do require a subsequent confirmation.
For samples with a presumptively positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than those in methods like urine or oral fluid, which is why hair drug screening is among the most complex methodologies.
The Confirmation of any positive Screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before Confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently dubbed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the scalp's hair follicle.
When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests in Middleburg, KY, the benefits become clear. Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy and reliability, with an extended detection window that urine tests cannot match. This makes them the preferred choice for thorough drug screening.
Hair follicle tests can identify drug use over a significantly extended period, up to 90 days. This prolonged detection window empowers employers in Middleburg, KY, with a detailed understanding of an individual's substance use history, crucial for informed decision-making in hiring processes.
In Middleburg, KY, hair follicle testing offers a tamper-resistant solution. The nature of hair collection makes it extremely challenging to alter the sample, thereby ensuring the results are reliable and authentic, giving peace of mind to employers about the integrity of the testing process.
With convenient testing locations throughout Middleburg, KY, and nationwide, hair follicle drug testing is accessible and straightforward. Accredited Drug Testing ensures that individuals and businesses experience a streamlined and hassle-free testing process no matter where they are situated.
In Middleburg, KY, the process of organizing, conducting, and obtaining results from hair follicle tests is both simple and confidential. This ensures that privacy concerns are addressed, and the procedure remains user-friendly, alleviating any anxiety regarding the testing process.
Companies in Middleburg, KY, benefit from competitive pricing and swift turnaround times for hair follicle drug tests. This ensures excellent value for businesses of all sizes, delivering quick, reliable results without straining budgets, and reinforcing peace of mind concerning drug testing needs.
Hair follicle drug tests in Middleburg, KY, offer unmatched accuracy and speed. They provide precise detection of substance use, ensuring reliable results that employers can trust. The efficiency of these tests means you receive results promptly, contributing to faster decision-making processes.
For employers in Middleburg, KY, hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free workplace regulations, reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. This method fosters a secure and harmonious working environment, contributing to a positive organizational culture.
