Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drugs and alcohol. Hair records a long-term drug history by capturing biomarkers within its fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair can reflect drug use over a span of nearly 3 months. Collecting hair is straightforward, it's hard to tamper with, and easy to send off.
A 1.5-inch section of about 200 strands (roughly a #2 pencil width) near the scalp will yield 100 mg—ideal for testing. For EtG, additional tests, or those beyond 10 panels, 150 mg is suggested. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
There are four key steps in processing a drug test in the lab: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the sample’s initial intake into the lab system. This includes ensuring the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, setting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing necessary data entry not included in the electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for drugs. While it is a cost-effective approach for ruling out drug use in most samples, positive results require confirmation for court validity. Samples with a tentative positive screening result need further verification.
When a sample shows a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at lower concentrations than other methods, such as urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening the most challenging method.
Confirmation of any positive screening is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is actually done on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ericsburg, MN. The hair follicle drug test surpasses its urine counterpart, thanks to its ability to detect drug use over significantly extended periods. Moreover, it effectively eliminates chances of tampering or anomalies often associated with urine samples, ensuring reliable results.
Hair testing is gaining preference due to its superior detection accuracy. It uncovers substance use up to 90 days prior, illuminating clearer drug-use histories compared to urine tests that cover much shorter windows, typically only a few days.
Extended Detection Window in Ericsburg, MN. Offering a remarkable ability to trace drug usage up to 90 days prior, hair follicle testing serves as an excellent choice for employers seeking a detailed perspective on an individual's substance history. This extended capability makes it an attractive option for ensuring a drug-free workplace.
Employers benefit from the comprehensive drug use history uncovered through hair testing, enabling proactive and informed personnel decisions. Thus, it offers unmatched benefit in making employment or disciplinary choices based on accurate drug-use information.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ericsburg, MN. Hair follicle tests present a substantial barrier against sample adulteration. Its structure and collection process minimize potential tampering, rendering reliable, unequivocal results beyond doubt.
By substantially reducing the likelihood of tampering, hair follicle testing sets a new standard in drug screenings. It offers an undeniable layer of security in comparison to other methods, ensuring results remain unaltered and trustworthy.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Ericsburg, MN. With an expansive network of testing centers nationwide, gaining access to quality substance tests becomes simple and hassle-free. Residents of Ericsburg can trust a swift and easy process when utilizing our exemplary testing services.
The extensive availability of testing sites aims to provide effortless access to necessary drug testing, ensuring individuals experience a seamless procedure from appointment to reception of test results.
Simple, Confidential Process in Ericsburg, MN. Our hair follicle drug testing ensures simplicity and confidentiality at every step—from ordering, taking, to receiving results—retaining utmost privacy for all clients.
Privacy concerns dissolve through utilizing this method due to its discreet process. The streamlining of testing procedures fosters an easy-to-navigate system, easing apprehensions and maintaining user confidentiality.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ericsburg, MN. Hair follicle testing not only assures reliable results but also comes at competitive pricing with quick result delivery. Businesses find exceptional value in this speedy and cost-effective service.
The fusion of affordability and swift solutions caters to companies of varied sizes. Facilitating high-quality service without financial strain, organizations gain value from rapid, efficient result allocation.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ericsburg, MN. Hair follicle drug tests offer optimal precision and timeliness, making them highly effective for detecting drug use. The assays capture an athlete's or worker's substance consumption history well beyond other tests, delivering clear, reliable outcomes quickly.
The rapid turnaround and precise detection capabilities of hair analyses enhance confidence in test outcomes, ensuring dependable insights into an individual's substance use. This method offers comparably superior accuracy and reliability in drug testing procedures.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ericsburg, MN. Hair follicle testing assists employers in adhering to drug-free workplace policies, reducing litigation risks and elevating safety protocols. It creates an environment of assurance and steadfast compliance with industry standards.
The method provides a smoother compliance pathway, instilling confidence and security in employers. As a result, both legal and safety concerns are effectively mitigated, providing peace of mind along with abiding by regulatory mandates.
