Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has increasingly gained recognition as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When collected close to the scalp, hair can offer up to approximately a three-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. Head hair refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing drug test results consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial incorporation of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This involves ensuring that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of abuse. While cost-effective for excluding drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be permissible in court. Any samples presumed positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample indicates presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations than found in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Hamlin, ME. The advantages of hair testing over standard urine tests are evident. Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy, maintaining reliability over extended periods. This makes them more effective for comprehensive monitoring, ensuring dependability that traditional urine analyses may lack.
Extended Detection Window in Hamlin, ME provides a broader insight into an individual's substance history. With a detection span of up to 90 days, hair follicle tests allow employers to accurately assess an applicant or employee's long-term drug usage, offering a broader perspective than shorter-term tests.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hamlin, ME significantly lowers the chance of sample adulteration. Hair follicle tests render attempts at test manipulation nearly impossible, ensuring that results remain dependable and trustworthy, thus providing peace of mind regarding accuracy.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations including spots in Hamlin, ME underscore the ease of access to testing services. Our extensive network of centers nationwide offers quick, straightforward testing solutions, enhancing accessibility and minimizing hassle.
Simple, Confidential Process in Hamlin, ME simplifies the process of ordering, conducting, and receiving drug test results. Emphasizing ease of use and privacy, our system tackles confidentiality concerns, making testing stress-free for users.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hamlin, ME ensures our competitive edge. With reasonable costs and quick results delivery, we provide businesses of all sizes with remarkable value and assurance, reinforcing the economic benefits of our testing solutions.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hamlin, ME are crucial. Hair follicle tests offer precision and rapid outcomes, ensuring a high level of accuracy in identifying substance consumption. With an ability to track drug use efficiently, these tests stand out for their quick turnaround and dependable results.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hamlin, ME are enhanced by utilizing hair follicle testing. These tests ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, help avert legal challenges, and contribute to a safer work environment, allaying employer concerns effectively.
