Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Recognized for its efficacy, hair testing stands as a potent mechanism for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair fibers ensnare biomarkers from drugs and alcohol, preserving a lasting record within the growing strand. Collecting hair near the scalp offers a detection span of up to 90 days for alcohol and drug presence. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transport.
A 1.5-inch strand sample, roughly equivalent to 200 hairs or a #2 pencil's girth, near the scalp grants 100mg of hair, suited for screening and verification. For EtG, additional components, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. It's best to verify specimen weight with a jeweler's scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. The term head hair specifically denotes scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Four principal stages define the lab process for drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the primary phase of integrating a sample into a lab’s framework. This step involves confirming the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing extra data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening performs an initial, efficient check for substance abuse. While Screening is cost-efficient for eliminating drug use in most cases, a positive result mandates confirmation to be court-admissible. Any initially positive samples necessitate subsequent confirmation.
A positive indication in the Screening stage leads to more hair being extracted from the initial specimen for Analysis. Here, drugs are extracted at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug testing.
Confirmation of positive Screening findings is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to necessary confirmations. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", these tests scrutinize the hair strand itself, rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Trumps Urine Testing in Cologne, MN due to superior detection capabilities.
Expanded Detection Timeline ensures that employing hair follicle tests in Cologne, MN, provides a view up to 90 days back.
Reduced Adulteration Risks elevate hair follicle tests in Cologne, MN to a leading standard in drug screening.
Accessibility Across the Nation with testing centers in Cologne, MN ensures convenience.
Confidential and Effortless Testing Experience in Cologne, MN underlines the straightforward procedure for our clients.
Cost-Effective Solutions in Cologne, MN deliver value alongside expedited service times.
Swift and Precise Testing Method in Cologne, MN brings forward the reliability of hair follicle drug tests by showcasing their impeccable accuracy and speed.
Enhancing Workplace Integrity through hair follicle testing in Cologne, MN brings peace of mind for employers.