Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of drug and alcohol use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of about three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, extra tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair may be gathered. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key stages in the laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial processing of the sample into a lab’s database. This step verifies that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addresses any extra data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a rapid preliminary examination for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening demand a secondary confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptively positive result in Screening, additional hair from the initial specimen is used for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most complex methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Richmond, LA, hair follicle testing is superior to traditional urine tests, offering enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests detect drug use over a longer timeframe, providing a clearer depiction of an individual's substance habits.
Employers benefit from hair testing's improved precision compared to urine tests, making it a preferred option for comprehensive drug screening.
Hair follicle testing in Richmond, LA, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of an employee's drug use history.
The prolonged detection period provides a significant advantage, ensuring a more detailed evaluation of an individual's long-term substance use.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Richmond, LA, minimizes sample adulteration risks, ensuring trustworthy and definitive results.
This testing method reduces the possibility of manipulation, offering reliable outcomes that can be trusted in various settings, including the workplace and legal environments.
With convenient testing centers nationwide, including Richmond, LA, accessing hair follicle testing services is straightforward and hassle-free.
Our extensive network ensures rapid and easy access to testing, facilitating efficient drug screening for both individuals and businesses alike.
In Richmond, LA, our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and private, addressing confidentiality and simplicity in obtaining, administering, and receiving test results.
The user-friendly approach ensures all steps of the testing process are handled discreetly, prioritizing the privacy and comfort of those being tested.
Competitive pricing and quick turnaround times in Richmond, LA, make hair follicle testing accessible and cost-effective for businesses of varying sizes.
Our affordable pricing structures and rapid results provide excellent value, ensuring companies can conduct necessary testing without financial strain.
Hair follicle drug tests in Richmond, LA, are renowned for their fast and accurate results. These tests provide highly precise substance detection, ensuring reliability in the screening process.
The method's speed and precision make it a preferred choice in drug testing, allowing for prompt identification of drug use while maintaining exceptional accuracy levels.
Employers in Richmond, LA, gain peace of mind through hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies while minimizing legal exposure.
Adopting this method enhances workplace safety by reducing the prevalence of substance abuse among employees, promoting a secure working environment.
