Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as a robust instrument for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair archives a long-term report of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers in the fibers of the developing hair strand. When gathered adjacent to the scalp, hair may offer up to nearly a 3-month detection timeframe for substances like alcohol. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch section containing roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp supplies 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, supplementary add-ons, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement is recommended. If scalp hair isn’t available, a comparable quantity of body hair could be collected. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair only. Body hair pertains to all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning comprises the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s framework. This step ensures the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data input not available from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary rapid assessment for illicit drugs. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in legal circumstances. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening do need a subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are leached from hair at much lower levels than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Subsequent to a positive screening outcome, Confirmation is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation where necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being often labeled "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
When assessing the benefits of hair follicle testing against traditional urine tests, the former provides superior detection accuracy. In Frankfort, ME, this distinction is valuable, offering reliable, long-term substance use insights.
Hair testing trumps urine tests in detection efficiency, covering a larger timeline for drug usage observation. Especially for employers seeking thorough applicant evaluations, hair testing surpasses the temporal limitations of urine analysis.
What sets hair follicle testing apart in Frankfort, ME, is its extended detection window, spanning up to 90 days. This capability offers employers a comprehensive overview of an individual’s substance habits.
With this longer detection period, hair testing delivers vital information on drug use that helps in making informed personnel decisions, avoiding the short-sightedness of other methods.
Hair follicle testing in Frankfort, ME, minimizes the risk associated with sample tampering, offering unmatched reliability in results. This robust method ensures test integrity is maintained from collection to analysis.
The natural resistance to tampering found in hair tests is crucial for dependable diagnostic outcomes, upholding the integrity of the testing process across various settings.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations nationwide, including Frankfort, ME, ensuring easy access to our comprehensive services.
Our widespread centers simplify the testing process, providing quick and hassle-free access so that businesses and individuals can experience seamless service without geographical constraints.
The hair follicle testing process in Frankfort, ME, is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. Customers can effortlessly order tests, submit samples, and receive results, all with the assurance of privacy.
Streamlining these steps addresses any concerns over convenience and confidentiality, making the process user-friendly while safeguarding sensitive personal information.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing in Frankfort, ME. Our effective pricing strategies ensure excellent value for companies of various sizes.
By aligning cost-efficiency with prompt results, we deliver substantial value and peace of mind, helping businesses maintain financial and operational balance amidst their testing needs.
For residents in Frankfort, ME, hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision and speed, ensuring high accuracy in the detection of substance use. Results are delivered efficiently, supporting quick decision-making while maintaining reliability.
The accuracy of hair testing ensures that even small traces of drugs are detected, providing a clear advantage in environments where precision is critical. This is particularly beneficial for workplaces requiring rapid and dependable testing outcomes.
Employing hair follicle tests in Frankfort, ME, helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thereby enhancing safety and reducing legal liability.
By implementing such effective testing strategies, companies can ensure a safer work environment, promoting peace of mind through stringent policy adherence and regulatory compliance.
