Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the advancing hair strand. A sample taken near the scalp can reveal alcohol and drug use over roughly a 3-month period. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to mail.
A 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly equivalent to a #2 pencil’s thickness) closest to the scalp will weigh around 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for initial testing and further validation. For EtG tests, additional screenings, and/or panels exceeding 10, a sample weighing 150mg is advised. It's recommended to use a jeweler’s balance to weigh the sample. If scalp hair cannot be used, an equivalent amount of body hair may be collected. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The processing of a drug test outcome in the lab involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step of integrating a specimen into a lab’s system, which includes confirming the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as a preliminary examination for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient technique to discard drug use from most samples, a positive result from screening requires confirmation to be legally valid. Samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
If a sample exhibits a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from the hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.
The confirmation of any screening positives is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo a washing process before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed in line with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidance and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the evaluation itself assesses the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Sitka, KY, offers benefits over traditional urine tests, especially in accuracy and reliability. Hair tests detect drug usage over a longer duration, providing a clearer picture.
Compared to urine tests, the hair follicle method delivers precise results, making it difficult to deceive, thus assuring better compliance and safety for employers.
In Sitka, KY, hair follicle tests are powerful tools for extended drug use detection, covering up to 90 days. This broad timeframe allows employers to view a comprehensive drug history.
For businesses, this means having more significant insights into the long-term habits of employees or applicants, ensuring informed decisions in the hiring process.
Hair follicle testing in Sitka, KY, is a tamper-resistant method, effectively minimizing the risks of sample adulteration. Tests like these ensure that the results are reliable and indisputable.
Such robustness provides confidence to both employers and clients, knowing that tampering is nearly impossible, guaranteeing the integrity of the drug testing process.
With accredited testing locations nationwide and in Sitka, KY, accessing hair follicle drug tests is convenient and hassle-free.
Our numerous centers facilitate quick testing, ensuring that services are readily available to meet the needs of businesses and individuals efficiently.
In Sitka, KY, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to results, we maintain privacy and ease of use.
These streamlined procedures address privacy concerns, ensuring individuals and employers experience minimal complications throughout the process.
Competitive pricing and swift turnaround times for tests in Sitka, KY, make hair follicle testing an affordable solution for companies. This efficient service offers excellent value, accommodating business needs swiftly.
Our pricing structures provide companies with cost-effective options, ensuring tests are accessible without compromising on quality or speed.
The speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests make them highly reliable in Sitka, KY. Their ability to precisely detect substance usage offers a dependable testing method.
Through advanced technology, these tests provide results that are not only fast but also unparalleled in accuracy, ensuring substance use detection with utmost precision.
For Sitka, KY employers, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal liabilities. This approach bolsters workplace safety while maintaining policy adherence.
Implementing such testing provides peace of mind by maintaining a secure environment, discouraging substance use among employees.
