Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis represents a significant method for identifying the presence of drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended overview of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of hair as it grows. When obtained close to the scalp, hair can offer a look back at drug and alcohol consumption for approximately three months. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample consisting of 1.5 inches of about 200 strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both initial screening and confirmation. For additional tests like EtG or those exceeding a 10-panel range, 150mg of the hair specimen is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for measuring the sample is advisable. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a comparable amount of body hair may be utilized. "Head hair" pertains exclusively to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The procedure in laboratories for processing drug test outcomes includes four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial handling of the sample within a lab’s infrastructure. This process includes the verification of proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screening must be validated for legal acceptability. Samples that are preliminarily positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If Screening indicates a potential positive, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. During Extraction, substances are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening techniques.
Positive Screening outcomes are validated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is subjected to review under the standards of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Nippa, KY: Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy over traditional urine tests, making it a more reliable choice for employers. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests can detect drug usage over a longer timeframe, providing a deeper insight into an individual's substance habits, making them nearly impossible to cheat.
Extended Detection Window in Nippa, KY: Hair follicle testing stands out with its ability to detect drug use for up to 90 days. This comprehensive overview helps employers gain a clearer understanding of an employee's or applicant’s substance use history, offering more informed decision-making capabilities in recruitment and monitoring processes.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Nippa, KY: The robustness of hair follicle tests lies in their resistance to tampering, ensuring that results remain reliable and beyond question. Unlike other testing methods, hair samples cannot be easily altered, providing confidence that the findings are an accurate reflection of drug use history.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Nippa, KY: With our extensive network of testing centers spread nationwide, access to drug testing services is hassle-free and efficient. Whether in Nippa or any other city, our locations ensure that testing requirements are met with speed and convenience.
Simple, Confidential Process in Nippa, KY: Ordering and taking a hair follicle drug test is a straightforward and private process, ensuring participants' ease and confidentiality. From test initiation to result delivery, every step is handled with discretion, addressing any concerns over privacy.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Nippa, KY: Our competitive pricing combined with rapid result turnaround provides excellent value for companies of any size. This affordability, paired with efficiency in service, offers peace of mind to businesses looking to implement reliable drug testing procedures.
Hair follicle drug tests in Nippa, KY offer fast and precise results. These tests are known for their high accuracy in identifying substance use, ensuring that employers receive nothing but the best insights into potential or current employees' behaviors. The speed with which results are produced allows decisions to be made swiftly, providing an edge over other testing methods.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Nippa, KY: Implementing hair follicle testing can significantly help businesses maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and enhancing safety. This testing method supports employers in creating secure environments while ensuring employee reliability.
