Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a highly effective method for detecting the usage of drugs and alcohol. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers as hair grows. When obtained near the scalp, a hair sample offers a detection window of up to around 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for screening and confirmation procedures. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen quantity of 150mg is advised. It's recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent body hair sample may be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory workflow in processing drug test results consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab’s system. This process involves confirming the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any further data entry needs not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening represents an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While economically efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive Screen result requires confirmation to hold up in court. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening need a subsequent confirmation step.
If Screening results suggest a positive indication, more hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. This stage removes drugs from hair at a much lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Any positive screening outcome is confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive are washed ahead of confirmation as necessary. The laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Alanson, MI offers several advantages over urine tests. These include superior accuracy and reliability, thanks to the longer detection period and minimal risk of evasion.
In Alanson, MI, hair follicle testing boasts a longer detection window of up to 90 days. This period provides employers with a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history.
Hair follicle testing in Alanson, MI, is designed to minimize tampering. This method delivers reliable and trustworthy results, ensuring sample integrity.
With testing centers nationwide, including in Alanson, MI, accessing hair follicle testing is straightforward and hassle-free, offering unmatched convenience.
The confidential and straightforward process in Alanson, MI, ensures clients can easily order, undergo testing, and receive their results, guaranteeing privacy.
In Alanson, MI, we offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround for hair follicle tests. This ensures excellent value and prompt results for businesses of any size.
Our hair follicle drug tests in Alanson, MI emphasize precision and quick results. These tests have high accuracy in detecting various substances, ensuring reliability.
Employers in Alanson, MI can benefit from hair follicle testing to adhere to drug-free workplace policies. This approach promotes legal compliance and safety.
