Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for revealing drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a broad history of substance intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers a potential 3-month detection period for both alcohol and drugs. It's straightforward to gather, hard to tamper with, and simple to send.
A 1.5-inch portion consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample for both screening and affirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is suggested. It's advisable to measure the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, a comparable quantity of body hair may be taken. "Head hair" pertains exclusively to scalp hair. "Body hair" indicates all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary stages in processing a drug test result in the laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab's system. This process ensures the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional data recording absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary rapid assessment for drug usage. While cost-effective, a positive Screening result requires confirmation to hold in legal settings. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening demand further confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the primary specimen for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at substantially lower concentrations than in other tests (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which contributes to hair drug screening's complexity.
Any confirmed positive result from Screening undergoes further Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation when necessary. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning through Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", this test analyzes the hair strand itself, not the underlying follicle beneath the scalp.
Comparatively, hair follicle testing in Randolph, MA offers superior detection accuracy and reliability over traditional urine tests. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a more extended view into an individual's substance use history, minimizing false negatives and missed usage. This ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies efficiently and effectively.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing, extending up to 90 days, offers employers in Randolph, MA a comprehensive look at an individual's substance history. This long-term overview assists in making informed hiring decisions and continually monitoring employee compliance with substance-abuse policies.
In Randolph, MA, hair follicle testing is recognized for its tamper-resistant properties, significantly reducing the chance of sample adulteration. The observed sample collection process ensures credible results, giving employers peace of mind about the integrity of the tests conducted.
Our testing centers offer convenience to residents in Randolph, MA. With nationwide centers and local facilities, accessing our services is quick and hassle-free. We prioritize making the testing process smooth and efficient for all involved.
The simple and confidential process for hair follicle testing in Randolph, MA ensures user privacy and straightforward procedures. From ordering to receiving results, each step is designed to prioritize confidentiality, addressing potential concerns about privacy and ease.
Our facilities in Randolph, MA offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, providing excellent value for companies of all sizes. Our competitive pricing structures ensure that businesses can conduct thorough employee screening without compromising on budget or timeliness.
In Randolph, MA, hair follicle drug tests are lauded for their precision and speed. Their accuracy in detecting substance use is exceptionally high, making them a favored choice for employers seeking fast, reliable results. The ability to quickly screen for various substances ensures timely decision-making, enhancing substance monitoring processes efficiently.
Employers in Randolph, MA benefit from hair follicle testing as it ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. By adopting this method, companies can reduce legal risks, enhance workplace safety, and provide a safe environment for their employees.
