Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The practice of hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term evidence of alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers in the fibers as the hair grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol exposure for up to around three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and easy to transport.
A sample consisting of 1.5 inches of about 200 hair strands (roughly as thick as a #2 pencil) from the scalp offers 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is preferred. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. When we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial or underarm hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for drug test analysis consists of four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into the lab's system. This step involves confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening acts as a fast preliminary check for drug abuse. Although it offers a budget-friendly method to exclude drug use in most samples, a confirmed result is required for legal proceedings. Samples showing presumptive positive results during Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive result at the Screening phase, more hair is obtained from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. During Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.
Verification of positive screening outcomes is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation when necessary. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Wayland, MI, showcases greater capabilities over traditional urine tests. Superior accuracy and reliability come with hair analysis, outmatching urine tests in detection efficiency. Hair tests provide a more comprehensive timeline of drug use, offering a clear, indisputable record, thereby ensuring a trusting atmosphere both for employers and medical professionals relying on the results.
With an unparalleled ability to trace drug use history, hair follicle tests in Wayland, MI, time-stamp substance use for up to 90 days. This extended detection window offers managers and HR teams a detailed snapshot of substance history, vital for assessing any potential risk factors in the workforce, thus supporting workplaces in maintaining a substance-free environment.
In Wayland, MI, hair follicle testing’s design minimizes tampering risks, ensuring authenticity and credibility. By being nearly tamper-proof, these tests stand against manipulation that might skew results. This offers a secure testing foundation for employers looking to uphold strict drug-free policies, greatly reducing instances of false negatives due to external test interference.
With testing centers widespread across the nation, and local access available in Wayland, MI, the convenience of conducting hair follicle tests is unmatched. Our network of nationwide testing locations ensures that every individual or company can swiftly and effortlessly connect to our testing services, facilitating a straightforward and comprehensive testing experience.
Wayland, MI offers an uncomplicated yet discreet path for hair follicle testing. Easy-to-use applications coupled with confidential data handling means that both the testing and results phases prioritize user privacy. This seamless process benefits both individuals concerned about discretion and companies demanding secure and private testing outcomes.
Wayland, MI features competitive pricing and swift turnaround times for hair follicle tests, underscoring our commitment to affordability and efficiency. Rapid results delivery and budget-friendly options make these tests a preferred choice, especially suited for companies seeking cost-effectiveness and timeliness while maintaining high standards of accuracy and reliability.
In Wayland, MI, the speed and precision of hair follicle tests are unmatched. Quick and accurate, these tests excel at detecting substances due to their advanced analysis techniques. The efficiency of this testing method ensures that results are not only fast but also highly reliable, providing users with invaluable data for informed decision-making.
Offering peace of mind, Wayland, MI’s hair follicle testing helps businesses align with compliance regulations and maintains rigorous drug-free workplace policies. This not only safeguards legal integrity but also elevates safety standards. As issues arising from substance abuse are minimized, a safer and more efficient business environment can thrive.