Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examinations are increasingly recognized as a potent means for identifying the use of alcohol and drugs. Hair strands capture biomarkers in their fibers, offering an extended history of substance exposure. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use with a detection period extending up to about 3 months. It’s straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and easy to send.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hairs (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) gathered nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg, the perfect amount for both screening and verification. If testing for EtG, additional substances, or panels exceeding ten, a sample of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair pertains to other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Summary
The principal stages in processing a lab drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab’s framework. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles additional data entry not covered by electronic custody systems.
Screening serves as a rapid evaluation for drug substances. Although it’s a cost-efficient technique to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to stand in legal proceedings. Samples assumed positive in Screening demand a follow-up confirmation.
When a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Drugs in hair are extracted at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), proving hair drug testing to be quite intricate.
For confirmation of any positive screening, methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples go through a cleaning process as needed. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Merits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although commonly mentioned as "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Deerwood, MN, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing by offering pronounced detection accuracy and dependability.
Advantages of Hair Testing:
Hair follicle tests in Deerwood, MN, boast an extended drug detection window, covering up to 90 days of substance history.
Benefits:
Hair follicle testing in Deerwood, MN, stands as a robust, tamper-resistant method, significantly cutting down adulteration risks.
Why Choose Hair Tests:
With convenient nationwide locations and local facilities in Deerwood, MN, accessing hair follicle testing services is hassle-free.
Highlights:
The hair follicle testing process in Deerwood, MN, is simple and confidential, easing potential concerns about privacy and procedure.
Process Benefits:
Affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times define hair follicle testing in Deerwood, MN, offering exceptional value.
Financial Advantages:
The speed and precision of hair follicle testing in Deerwood, MN, is unmatched, offering fast, accurate detection of substance use.
Hair follicle tests provide a high success rate in identifying drugs and alcohol, with results typically available quicker than traditional tests. They offer detailed insights into one's substance history, serving as a valuable tool for employers and medical professionals alike.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Deerwood, MN, grants employers compliance and peace of mind.
Employer Benefits: