Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional analysis, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. It is recommended to weigh the hair on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory's system, ensuring the sample was properly sealed and sent, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not available through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is an economical approach to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for court admissibility. Any samples flagged as presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
For a sample marked presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are removed from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation for any positive screen is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as needed. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the scalp's hair follicle.
In Gem Lake, MN, hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over urine tests. The extended detection period allows for a thorough assessment of substance use, capturing a more comprehensive history. Unlike urine tests, which identify substances for a few days, hair tests provide a reliable and longer detection window, making them a superior choice for accurate assessments.
The capability of hair follicle testing in Gem Lake, MN, to detect drug use over extended periods, up to 90 days, provides employers with a detailed understanding of a person's substance use history. This longer detection window is critical in making informed hiring decisions and monitoring current employees, ensuring a safe and productive workplace environment.
In Gem Lake, MN, hair follicle tests are renowned for their tamper-resistant nature. The process significantly reduces the chances of sample adulteration, ensuring the results are trustworthy and valid. This method provides a level of reliability that is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the testing process and the results.
Gem Lake, MN residents benefit from the convenience of numerous nationwide testing centers. These facilities offer fast and accessible testing services, simplifying the process for individuals and businesses alike. With local and nationwide centers, obtaining drug tests is both quick and easy, eliminating unnecessary hassles.
In Gem Lake, MN, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to sample collection and results delivery, every step is designed to be simple and private. This approach addresses privacy concerns and ensures that individuals can complete the process with ease and confidence.
Offering competitive pricing in Gem Lake, MN, hair follicle testing provides excellent value for companies of all sizes. The quick turnaround time for results further enhances the service, providing businesses with peace of mind and ensuring that they receive timely and cost-effective testing solutions.
In Gem Lake, MN, the precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug testing are unmatched. These tests are known for their high accuracy, effectively identifying substance use with consistency. Not only do they deliver fast results, but their reliability in pinpointing drug presence also surpasses many other testing methods available today.
For employers in Gem Lake, MN, using hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This testing method minimizes legal risks and enhances workplace safety by providing accurate, reliable results. It grants employers peace of mind, knowing they are compliant with regulations while fostering a safer work environment.
