Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly regarded as a robust method to detect drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When sourced near the scalp, hair offers a detection horizon of up to nearly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.
An optimal sample for screening and validation is comprised of a 1.5-inch section containing around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp to yield 100mg of hair. For EtG, extra tests, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be obtained. When referencing head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary phases in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial intake of a sample into a lab’s system. This process entails confirming the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning it an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs a preliminary rapid analysis for abuse drugs. While Screening economically eliminates drug usage in the bulk of samples, a favorable screen must be validated for legal admissibility. Any samples presumed positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample show a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a lower concentration than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screen result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive specimens are cleansed as required before confirmation. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle located beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Hermon, ME
Hair testing outshines traditional urine tests with its superior accuracy and reliability. The extended detection window and comprehensive result profile make it a more effective and dependable option.
Extended Detection Window in Hermon, ME
With the capability to review substance history up to 90 days, hair follicle testing offers employers a detailed view of an individual's drug use, contributing to more informed decisions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hermon, ME
Hair follicle tests significantly decrease the chance of tampering, delivering trustworthy and concrete results without the risk of sample adulteration.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Hermon, ME
Our expansive network of testing centers ensures seamless access to services, providing quick and hassle-free testing options nationwide.
Simple, Confidential Process in Hermon, ME
The hair follicle testing procedure is designed to be straightforward and private, from ordering and conducting tests to receiving results, ensuring user confidentiality and ease.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hermon, ME
Our competitive pricing and swift result delivery offer substantial value, catering to the needs of businesses of all sizes efficiently and economically.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hermon, ME
Hair follicle drug testing offers unmatched speed and precision in determining substance use. This method ensures highly accurate results, making it a preferred choice for detecting drug presence.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hermon, ME
Utilizing hair follicle testing aligns with workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal concerns, and promoting workplace safety through proven compliance measures.
