Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly acknowledged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged chronicle of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fabric of the growing hair strand. Collected near the scalp, hair can provide an approximate three-month window for detecting both alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to falsify, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample, comprising around 200 strands of hair (about #2 pencil size) close to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair—ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. Note that "head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test result involves four critical steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s framework, ensuring the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any data entry not encompassed by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for court admissibility. Presumptively positive samples in Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.
Should a specimen test presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are derived from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug testing one of the most challenging methodologies.
Positive results from screening undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples presumed positive are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Commonly termed “hair follicle tests,†the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Opting for hair follicle testing over urine testing in East Brookfield, MA, presents several advantages. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy and longer detection windows. Unlike urine tests, hair testing is less likely to be tampered with, ensuring the results are more reliable.
The effectiveness of hair follicle tests comes from their ability to detect drug use over an extended timeframe, which surpasses the shorter detection window of urine tests, providing a comprehensive insight into substance history.
Hair follicle testing in East Brookfield, MA, offers an extended detection window, capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This method allows employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee's substance history.
For companies in East Brookfield, this longer detection period is invaluable in creating informed decisions about potential hires or existing employees, thus enhancing workplace safety and compliance.
In East Brookfield, MA, hair follicle tests are valued for being a tamper-resistant testing method. Unlike other testing methods that may be subject to sample adulteration, hair samples are difficult to alter, providing reliable and unquestionable results.
This feature makes hair testing a preferred choice for employers and agencies seeking accurate substance use evaluations, minimizing the risk associated with sample manipulation and resulting in genuine test outcomes.
Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing locations across the nation, including local availability in East Brookfield, MA. Our extensive network of testing centers ensures quick, easy, and hassle-free access to necessary testing services.
Ensuring accessibility for customers throughout East Brookfield, our facilities are strategically located to deliver timely and efficient testing processes, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.
The process of hair follicle testing in East Brookfield, MA, remains simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed with user convenience and privacy in mind, ensuring that participants feel comfortable throughout the testing journey.
This straightforward approach reassures individuals and companies that their personal information and results remain confidential, thus enhancing the testing experience and trust in the process.
In East Brookfield, MA, hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing coupled with fast turnaround. Our competitive pricing structure ensures that businesses of all sizes can access quality testing services without financial strain, while the rapid processing time provides peace of mind.
By prioritizing cost-effectiveness and efficiency, we guarantee value for money, enabling companies to maintain high standards of safety and compliance effortlessly.
In East Brookfield, MA, hair follicle drug tests are known for their precision and speed. They offer high accuracy in detecting substance use, which ensures reliable results. Unlike other testing methods, hair follicle tests provide rapid processing and thorough analysis, making them the go-to choice for obtaining fast and accurate outcomes.
Employers and agencies prefer hair testing due to its efficiency and dependability. In East Brookfield, quick sample processing guarantees swift delivery of results, aiding faster decision-making.
Hair follicle testing brings compliance and peace of mind to employers in East Brookfield, MA. Utilizing these tests assures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, significantly reducing potential legal risks and enhancing overall workplace safety.
By choosing hair testing, businesses demonstrate their commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant work environment, fostering trust and reliability amongst employees and stakeholders alike.