Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by encasing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. If collected near the scalp, a hair sample can cover a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and various drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hairs (akin to a #2 pencil in size) nearest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, extra tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample on a jeweler's scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair can be taken. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary phases in processing a drug test in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab's system. This step covers confirming correct sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) at random, and completing any missing data entry not supplied by an electronic custody system.
Screening involves an initial, rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is economically efficient to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive result must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples that screen as presumptively positive require further confirmation.
In cases where a Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the sample for the Extraction phase. At this stage, drugs are drawn from hair in significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluids), making hair testing the most intricate method to conduct.
Confirmation of any presumptive positive from Screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all samples with initial positive results are washed as needed. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, complies with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and aligns with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in West Brookfield, MA, offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. One of the primary benefits is its enhanced detection accuracy. Hair tests can detect substance use over an extended period, offering a comprehensive view that is not as easily achievable with urine tests. This feature provides employers with reliable insights into an employee's or applicant's drug use history.
The reliability of hair follicle tests outstrips that of urine tests, underscoring its role in companies' drug-free workplace initiatives. The meticulous nature of hair testing makes it considerably harder to manipulate, bringing peace of mind for organizations that require stringent drug testing protocols to maintain their operational integrity and safety.
When it comes to long-term drug detection in West Brookfield, MA, hair follicle testing excels, offering a window of up to 90 days. This extended detection period significantly surpasses other testing methods, giving employers a detailed account of an individual's substance use history. It's crucial for industries where long-term sobriety is not just preferred but necessary.
The comprehensive nature of hair testing ensures that employers can make informed decisions based on a broader history rather than recent consumption alone. This extended period is invaluable for maintaining workplace safety and upholding a zero-tolerance policy, ultimately contributing to more informed hiring and retention decisions.
In West Brookfield, MA, hair follicle testing is recognized for its tamper-resistant features. This method significantly reduces the possibility of sample adulteration, ensuring results are trustworthy and valid. The collection process is straightforward and supervised, eliminating ambiguity and paving the way for dependable outcomes every time.
By choosing hair testing, organizations receive assurance against tampering, an unfortunate concern with other testing formats like urine. This solidifies the credibility of the results, providing unwavering support for upholding company policies and making sound employment-related judgments based on uncompromised data.
Accredited Drug Testing boasts convenient nationwide testing centers, including in West Brookfield, MA, allowing effortless access to hair follicle tests. Our widespread locations offer quick, easy, and uncomplicated testing processes, catering to diverse organizational needs efficiently.
Whether you're near or far, our robust network ensures that your testing needs are met without hassle. This accessibility allows companies to focus on their core functions while maintaining rigorous testing standards upheld by regions-spanning facilities.
Our hair follicle testing process in West Brookfield, MA, is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy and user-friendliness, addressing any privacy concerns effectively.
Clients appreciate the straightforward nature of our process, as it ensures confidentiality while delivering accurate results. This ease of use makes our services appealing to those valuing both discretion and efficiency in their drug testing endeavors, facilitating seamless integration into organizational protocols.
Accredited Drug Testing offers affordable pricing and rapid result delivery in West Brookfield, MA. Coupled with our competitive pricing, businesses of all sizes gain access to high-quality testing without financial strain, thanks to our transparent cost structures.
The combination of quick turnaround times and cost-efficiency makes our hair testing services a valuable asset for companies aiming for both safety and fiscal responsibility. By choosing us, organizations not only safeguard their operations but also ensure cost-effective management of their drug testing strategies.
In West Brookfield, MA, hair follicle drug tests boast fast and precise results. This method stands out for its superior accuracy in identifying substance use, a critical consideration for ensuring both employee compliance and workplace safety. The precision of these tests often surpasses other methods, making them a reliable choice for organizations seeking dependable testing outcomes.
Time efficiency is another attribute of hair follicle testing. The process is streamlined to deliver results swiftly, with accuracy being the cornerstone. This reliability and speed make hair testing an attractive solution for businesses to enforce their drug policies effectively, minimizing potential delays in decision-making.
Employers in West Brookfield, MA, benefit from the peace of mind that hair follicle testing brings, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It helps reduce legal risks and enhances safety by delivering detailed insights into an individual’s long-term substance use.
Enforcement of compliance policies becomes seamless with hair testing due to its reliable nature and extensive detection window. This method aids businesses in establishing a safe work environment, earning employee trust, and reinforcing their commitment to both safety and legal adherence.
