Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The fibers of hair capture biomarkers, offering a prolonged timeline of substance use as the strand grows. When collected near the scalp, it allows for a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to send for testing.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with close to 200 strands (equivalent in size to a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides around 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for testing and verification. For tests involving EtG, additions, and/or panels beyond ten, 150mg of hair is advisable. It is suggested to measure this using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, while "Body hair" encompasses all others (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in lab processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial step of integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary assessment for substance misuse. Although cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive Screening result must be confirmed to be legally valid. Any samples indicating positive results in Screening need further confirmation.
If Screening results suggest a positive sample, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. This involves drug extraction from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine, oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is notably complex.
Confirmation of any positive Screening finding is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before Confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleansed as necessary. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review based on the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Buffalo Lake, MN offers superior detection capabilities. Hair tests capture a longer substance use history, providing enhanced accuracy and reliability in detecting drugs. This is crucial for settings requiring high assurance of a drug-free environment.
Hair follicle testing in Buffalo Lake, MN provides an extended detection window, capable of identifying drug use over a duration of up to 90 days. This long-term insight helps employers make informed decisions about an applicant's or employee’s substance history, promoting a safe workplace.
One of the significant advantages of hair follicle testing in Buffalo Lake, MN is its resistance to tampering. Unlike other methods, it significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring the results are trustworthy and unquestionable, thereby promoting integrity in testing.
With numerous testing locations nationwide and facilities in Buffalo Lake, MN, accessing drug testing services is convenient and stress-free. Accredited Drug Testing ensures that both local and national clients can readily find a location that suits their needs.
The hair follicle testing process in Buffalo Lake, MN is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the streamlined procedure ensures privacy and ease, addressing any personal concerns and simplifying drug testing for all involved.
Offering competitive pricing in Buffalo Lake, MN, hair follicle testing presents an affordable solution for businesses of all sizes. With rapid turnaround times, companies benefit from both cost-effective pricing and swift access to reliable drug testing results.
In Buffalo Lake, MN, hair follicle testing stands out due to its precision in detecting substance use. With rapid processing times, these tests provide fast and reliable results, helping individuals and organizations gain confidence in the accuracy of the findings.
In Buffalo Lake, MN, hair follicle testing assures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks and enhancing safety. Employers gain peace of mind knowing their testing methods are robust, reducing uncertainties and supporting a drug-free environment.
