Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended historical account of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strands as they grow. When sourced near the scalp, hair can present a detection timeline of nearly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easily transportable.
Securing a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields about 100mg of hair, the preferred sample size for analysis and verification. For EtG, supplemental analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is recommended to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not feasible, a comparable quantity of body hair may be retrieved. When mentioning head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step includes verifying proper sealing and dispatch of the sample, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening comprises an initial swift evaluation for substances of misuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient technique to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be corroborated to stand legally. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening require an additional verification.
For samples showing a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair is drawn from the original sample for the Extraction process. At this stage, drugs are extracted from the hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.
Verification of any positive screening outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing prior to validation if necessary. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being termed as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing tests in Forest Center, MN, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests. One major advantage is its superior detection accuracy, offering a more valid and reliable reading of substance use over time. The consistency and dependability of hair tests make them ideal for rigorous environments demanding zero-tolerance policies.
Hair follicle testing in Forest Center, MN, offers extended insights with its detection window extending up to 90 days. This lengthy period allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance use history, ensuring informed hiring or retention decisions that align with company policies and values.
Forest Center, MN, benefits from the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests. This method effectively diminishes the likelihood of sample adulteration, preserving the integrity of test results. Such reliability ensures confidence in the outcomes, vital for maintaining stringent compliance standards.
Accredited Drug Testing guarantees convenient access to testing services in Forest Center, MN, with a vast network of nationwide centers. This ensures quick and hassle-free access to testing, enhancing overall convenience for individuals and companies alike, and facilitating seamless drug testing experiences.
In Forest Center, MN, the process of hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. From ordering to collecting samples and receiving results, each step prioritizes privacy and user-friendliness, addressing concerns about discretion and simplicity for all involved parties.
Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times in Forest Center, MN, Accreditation Drug Testing ensures excellent value for varied company sizes. Affordability combined with speedy results delivers timely and cost-effective peace of mind, accommodating diverse organizational needs.
In Forest Center, MN, the precision and swiftness of hair follicle tests stand out. These tests provide highly accurate detection of substance use promptly, ensuring employers receive reliable data swiftly. The method's efficiency in delivering results reflects its advanced analytical capability, which is crucial for maintaining high standards in substance detection.
Employing hair follicle testing in Forest Center, MN, supports workplace compliance and fosters peace of mind for employers. It ensures adherence to drug-free policies, mitigates legal risks, and bolsters workplace safety, creating a more secure and productive environment for all staff.
