Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair strands capture biomarkers within their fibers, providing a historical record of substance use. When taken from near the scalp, hair samples can reveal substance use over a window of approximately three months. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and transport is uncomplicated.
An optimal hair sample involves a 1.5-inch section comprising about 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil), yielding 100mg, ideal for both screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG, add-ons, or those above 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advisable. Use a jeweler’s scale for accurate weighing. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair is acceptable. 'Head hair' refers solely to scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' encompasses all other hair types, including facial and axillary.
Process Overview
The laboratory process for drug testing proceeds through four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the stage where the sample enters the laboratory system. This includes confirming the correct sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other data entry required beyond what an electronic chain of custody system provides.
Screening is a preliminary evaluation for the presence of drugs. Though Screening is an economical approach to ruling out substance use in most samples, a positive result must be verified for legal admissibility. Any samples that test presumptively positive require further confirmation.
If the Screening stage results in a presumptive positive, additional hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. This stage involves isolating drugs from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than methods like urine or oral fluid, contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.
The Confirmation for positive screenings is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positives undergo necessary washing before Confirmation. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", this test actually analyzes the hair strand itself, not the follicle under the scalp.
In Quincy, MI, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine testing, offering superior accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair analyses cover extended detection windows and aren't influenced by recent abstinence, providing a detailed picture of usage over time.
Reliability: Hair tests ensure a comprehensive review of an individual's drug history, reducing the risk of false negatives or inaccuracies often associated with urine tests.
In Quincy, MI, hair follicle testing offers a detection period of up to 90 days, allowing employers an extensive review of substance use. This method uncovers long-term usage trends and ensures a thorough understanding of an employee's or applicant's history.
Comprehensive Insights: By infiltrating deeper into an individual's habits over time, hair testing provides more robust data than methods with shorter detection periods.
Hair follicle tests in Quincy, MI, provide a tamper-resistant method of drug screening. Unlike urine tests, hair samples are difficult to adulterate, ensuring the results remain unswervingly accurate and reliable.
Enhanced Security: The collection process of hair samples reduces the risk of contamination or deliberate tampering, reinforcing confidence in the test outcomes.
With testing centers across the nation, including in Quincy, MI, accessing hair follicle drug tests is straightforward. Our convenient network ensures hassle-free testing services, quickly connecting you to the necessary resources.
Local Access: Availability in every city means individuals and employers don't have to travel far to meet their testing requirements.
The hair follicle testing process in Quincy, MI, is designed for simplicity and confidentiality, offering ease and privacy from ordering to receiving results. This approach respects individual privacy and ensures classified handling of personal data.
Confidentiality Assured: Each step is managed discreetly, from arranging the test to delivering final results, ensuring personal data stays protected throughout.
In Quincy, MI, our hair follicle testing solutions come at competitive prices with swift turnaround times, providing excellent value for organizations of any size. We ensure that quality testing doesn’t mean excessive costs and remains accessible for all.
Cost-effective: Our pricing structures afford companies the benefits of top-tier testing without straining budgets, accompanied by our commitment to timely service.
Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for delivering fast, precise, and reliable results in Quincy, MI. With their high accuracy, they detect substance use effectively, offering a trustworthy solution for employers needing quick confirmation of an individual's drug use history.
Immediate Feedback: Upon collecting samples, results are processed promptly, making sure employers swiftly obtain the data they need to make informed decisions about employment or compliance with policies.
In Quincy, MI, employing hair follicle testing helps maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, affording employers peace of mind. This method mitigates legal risks and boosts workplace safety through comprehensive testing outcomes.
Secure Operations: Using hair testing as part of their routine screening protocols ensures businesses adhere to necessary regulations and maintain a secure working environment.
