Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended historical record of alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, considerably challenging to tamper with, and convenient to ship.
An optimal sample for testing involves a 1.5-inch piece of around 200 hair strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp providing 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, 150mg is preferred. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing is advised. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be collected. Scalp hair refers to head hair only, while body hair includes all other types (e.g., facial, underarm).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test encompasses four main phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample undergoes initial processing within a lab system. This stage ensures proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody approach.
Screening conducts a swift initial assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening efficiently negates drug use in the majority of cases, a positive screen requires further confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate supplementary validation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. At this point, drugs are separated from hair at lower concentrations than within alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a more complex pursuit.
Confirmation of any positive screenings is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumptive positive samples are cleaned before verification as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation norms.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why does hair follicle testing surpass urine testing in Saint Mary, KY? The advantages lie in its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis can reveal a longer substance use history, making it a better tool for employers seeking a detailed substance use profile.
The benefits of choosing hair over urine testing are evident in its greater accuracy and robustness. Employers and authorities find it a more reliable method due to its extensive detection window.
Hair follicle testing in Saint Mary, KY, offers an unparalleled detection window, tracing drug use up to 90 days. This long-term view aids employers in assessing an applicant's or employee's substance history thoroughly, ensuring a safer workplace environment.
The extended detection window of hair tests provides a comprehensive insight into an individual's drug use, unlike any other testing method, making it invaluable for employers.
In Saint Mary, KY, hair follicle tests stand as a highly tamper-resistant method for drug detection. The test's design significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, thus providing employers with reliable and unquestionable results.
The challenge in altering hair follicle test outcomes sets it apart. This robust process ensures sample integrity, making it nearly impossible to skew results unlawfully.
The accessibility of accredited drug testing centers throughout the nation is one of the benefits enjoyed by residents of Saint Mary, KY. Our widespread network ensures fast, hassle-free testing experiences, bringing convenience to both individuals and businesses.
With testing centers located nationwide and locally, accessing reliable drug testing services has never been easier. Our locations are strategically placed for your convenience.
For those in Saint Mary, KY, Accredited Drug Testing offers a simple and confidential testing process. From ordering a test to receiving results, each step is designed to maintain privacy and ease of use for all clients.
Our approach prioritizes confidentiality. Rest assured that your information remains private, and the process from test to result is straightforward and user-friendly.
In Saint Mary, KY, our drug testing services offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times. This combination delivers exceptional value, catering to businesses of all sizes seeking reliable testing.
The affordability of our services, coupled with rapid result delivery, supports businesses by providing economical solutions without compromising on quality.
In Saint Mary, KY, the reliability and speed of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched. Their ability to deliver swift and precise results makes them a preferred choice for many. These tests excel in accurately detecting substance use, offering peace of mind to employers and individuals.
The precision of hair follicle testing means it can trace substance use with high accuracy. This ensures dependable results, reducing the likelihood of false positives or negatives.
Employers in Saint Mary, KY, find compliance and assurance when using hair follicle testing. It supports drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and enhancing safety.
Hair testing aligns with workplace compliance, giving employers peace of mind by ensuring legal standards and workplace safety requirements are met.