Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examinations have emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When obtained from the scalp area, hair can offer up to a 3-month identification timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, difficult to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil’s diameter) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the perfect sample size for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample’s weight is recommended. If scalp hair isn't available, a matching quantity of body hair can be obtained. By head hair, we mean solely scalp hair. Body hair pertains to any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The principal stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the foundational handling of a sample within a laboratory’s system. This process encompasses confirming that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a swift preliminary evaluation for drugs of misuse. While Screening provides a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be valid in legal proceedings. Any samples provisionally positive in Screening necessitate secondary verification.
If a sample is provisionally positive during the Screening phase, more hair is drawn from the initial sample and made ready for Extraction. Drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower levels than in other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening stands as the most complex method to execute.
Confirmation of any preliminary positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed prior to confirmation if needed. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug analysis:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although frequently referenced as “hair follicle testsâ€, the examination itself analyzes the hair strand, not the hair follicle below the scalp.
Why do employers in Halma, MN prefer hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests? The answer lies in enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests can detect substance use over a broader timeframe, offering a comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s history. In contrast to urine tests, which provide a shorter detection window, hair testing reflects ongoing and past drug habits, presenting a clearer picture of usage patterns.
With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage in Halma, MN. This expanded timeframe means that test results provide a thorough snapshot of an individual's habitual drug use, rather than just recent activity. For employers, this comprehensive view helps in assessing the long-term drug-free status of potential hires or current employees, a significant improvement over shorter-span testing methods like urine tests.
The hair follicle test stands out in Halma, MN as a tamper-resistant testing method. Unlike urine tests which are susceptible to adulteration or substitution, hair samples provide an authentic and nearly immutable source for analysis. This inherent protection against tampering ensures results are consistent and genuine, offering peace of mind and certainty for both individuals and institutions relying on these tests for critical decision-making.
With convenient nationwide testing locations, including those in Halma, MN, accessing drug testing services has never been easier. Our extensive network of centers provides quick, easy, and hassle-free access for testing when needed. This allows individuals and businesses alike to efficiently manage their testing needs without delay, making the entire process seamless from start to finish across all locales.
Enjoy a simple, confidential process for drug testing in Halma, MN. From ordering a test to obtaining results, the steps are designed to maintain privacy and ensure ease of use. With discreetly managed procedures, clients can confidently navigate through the testing phases, knowing that confidentiality is paramount and respected every step along the way.
Take advantage of affordable pricing and fast turnaround times offered in Halma, MN. Our competitive pricing structures are tailored to meet the needs of companies of all sizes, ensuring excellent value. Coupled with expedited processing of results, businesses can make timely decisions based on reliable information, providing both fiscal benefits and operational peace of mind.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Halma, MN—these are the hallmarks of hair follicle drug testing. This method not only delivers rapid outcomes but also ensures a level of precision that is unparalleled when identifying substance usage. Hair testing surpasses other methods with its ability to accurately pinpoint drug use instances, giving employers and individuals reliable results that can be trusted when it matters most.
Choosing hair follicle testing in Halma, MN guarantees compliance and peace of mind for employers. By ensuring adherence to workplace drug-free policies, this testing method mitigates legal risks and bolsters workplace safety. Employers gain the reassurance that their workforce meets the standards necessary, fostering a secure and compliant work environment where policies are consistently upheld.
