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 history of alcohol and drug exposure by trapping biomarkers within the growing hair's fibers. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal up to an estimated 3-month detection timeline for drugs and alcohol. It's easy to collect, resistant to tampering, and straightforward to mail.
A cluster of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We advocate using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, a corresponding amount of body hair is acceptable. By head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedures for processing a drug test result entail four core stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning constitutes the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s database. This involves confirming that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any ancillary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody set-up.
Screening signifies a preliminary rapid detection for drug abuse. Though Screening is an economical method to exclude drug presence in most samples, a positive result must be validated for legal admissibility. Samples that exhibit a presumptive positive in Screening mandate subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample show a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are separated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most complex method to execute.
Positive screening confirmations are executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens are cleansed before confirmation as required. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the authority of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests", this assessment examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
The benefits of hair follicle testing over urine testing are clear in Hanley Falls, MN. Hair tests provide a more comprehensive detection range and reliability, recognizing drug use over extended periods. This method has shown superior accuracy, making it a preferred choice for drug screening.
In Hanley Falls, MN, hair follicle testing excels by detecting drug use over an extensive period, up to 90 days. This extended window allows for a thorough review of an individual’s substance history, offering employers a detailed insight into applicant or employee habits.
Choosing hair follicle tests in Hanley Falls, MN, significantly curtails the chances of sample tampering. Hair testing is recognized for its resistance to manipulation, ensuring the reliability and integrity of the results received.
Our testing centers span nationwide, including Hanley Falls, MN, making it convenient to access our services. With numerous locations, clients are guaranteed a swift and simplified process, devoid of complications.
Conducting hair follicle testing in Hanley Falls, MN, is a straightforward and confidential process. The steps to initiation, from ordering to receiving results, emphasize privacy and ease, addressing all potential concerns of individuals.
Offering competitive pricing and rapid results, our hair follicle testing in Hanley Falls, MN, presents great value. Businesses benefit from cost-efficient solutions while gaining timely and reliable information, which is essential for companies of all sizes.
Hair follicle testing in Hanley Falls, MN, offers faster and more precise results in detecting substance use. Hair testing allows for an efficient analysis, delivering highly accurate results that give peace of mind to both employers and individuals.
With hair follicle tests in Hanley Falls, MN, businesses can maintain strict adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method minimizes legal risks and elevates safety standards, providing employers a sense of assurance and compliance.