Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can record a lengthy history of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the hair fiber as it grows. When hair is sampled close to the scalp, it might offer an alcohol and drug detection timeframe of up to around three months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, approximately 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil), taken nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, it's suggested to use 150mg of the sample. Utilize a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is not present, equivalent body hair can be gathered. References to head hair pertain only to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory drug testing procedure consists of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially entered into the laboratory's system. This process ensures the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary examination to identify drug abuse. While cost-effective for ruling out drug usage in most samples, a positive screening result necessitates confirmation to ensure court admissibility. Any presumptively positive Screening outcomes require another confirmation.
If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is retrieved from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are removed from hair at concentrations much lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening a more complex process.
Confirmation of a positive screen is conducted using methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle test" often used refers to analyzing the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
The benefits of hair follicle testing over urine tests in Hiram, ME are clear. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability, providing a longer detection window which makes them a preferred choice over traditional methods.
Hair follicle tests in Hiram, ME cover a longer detection window of up to 90 days. They give employers a thorough insight into an individual's drug use history, offering a comprehensive assessment beyond recent consumption.
Reducing the risk of sample tampering in Hiram, ME, hair follicle testing provides reliable results. Its tamper-resistant nature ensures trustworthy outcomes and diminishes the chances of adulterated samples.
Testing in Hiram, ME is hassle-free due to our nationwide network of centers. With convenient access to services, it becomes quick and easy to conduct hair follicle testing anytime, anywhere.
The process in Hiram, ME for hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward, ensuring privacy and ease for every participant.
In Hiram, ME, we offer competitive pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle tests. Businesses enjoy excellent value and expedited service, benefiting companies of varying sizes with cost-effective solutions.
In Hiram, ME, hair follicle testing shines with exceptional precision and speed. This method guarantees high accuracy in substance detection, making it an ideal choice for those seeking fast and reliable results.
Employers in Hiram, ME gain peace of mind using hair follicle testing for compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method mitigates legal risks and enhances workplace safety, a win-win for businesses.
