Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as a robust means of identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures long-term drug and alcohol history, securing biomarkers within the growing strand's fibers. When collected near the scalp, it offers approximately a 3-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, fitting for examination and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary assessments, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. We advise using a jeweler's scale for specimen weighing. If scalp hair can't be acquired, an equivalent measure of body hair is acceptable. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary phases of laboratory processing for a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial handling of a specimen within a laboratory's framework. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any missing data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid check for drug misuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most cases, court-admissible evidence requires confirmation of a positive screen. Samples presumptively positive in Screening necessitate additional validation.
Should a specimen indicate potential positivity in Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging methodology.
Any confirmed positive screening outcomes undergo GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS analysis. All samples with potential positive screening are cleansed as necessary before confirmation. The entirety of the process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO/IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the test itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Testing Prevails
In Clinton, LA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests by offering superior detection. With an ability to unveil drug usage over a more extended period, hair testing is more reliable and harder to tamper with, granting employers confidence in their drug-free policies.
Extended Detection Period
Hair follicle testing in Clinton, LA, excels by providing a detection window of up to 90 days. This lengthy timeframe allows employers to gain insights into an individual's substance use history, ensuring a thorough assessment of behavior concerning drug consumption.
Reducing Tampering Risks
Clinton, LA benefits from hair follicle testing's robustness against tampering. The method ensures that samples remain unaffected by external attempts at deception, yielding results that stakeholders can trust, thereby upholding the integrity of the testing process.
Convenient Testing Locations
Enjoy the ease of access to testing with numerous centers across the nation and locally in Clinton, LA. This well-distributed network ensures that obtaining hair follicle drug testing services is straightforward, minimizing disruption to applicants or employees.
Confidential and Easy Process
The testing procedure in Clinton, LA is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to collection and receiving results, confidentiality is prioritized, addressing privacy concerns and ensuring a smooth, stress-free experience.
Cost-Effective Solutions
Affordable pricing combined with fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Clinton, LA a cost-effective choice for businesses. By delivering great value, companies of all sizes can confidently implement drug testing protocols without financial strain.
Precision and Speed
In Clinton, LA, hair follicle drug tests offer unrivaled precision. They swiftly detect substances with high accuracy, ensuring that findings are both fast and reliable. This makes them particularly valuable in settings where timely results are crucial, offering peace of mind to those relying on accurate data.
Assuring Compliance
Employers in Clinton, LA, find assurance in hair follicle testing's capacity to maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By effectively mitigating legal risks, such tests enhance safety and promote a healthier work environment.
