Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair strands capture biomarkers within their fibers, offering a long-term record of alcohol and drug use. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can reveal a detection window of up to 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and easy to transport.
Collecting a 1.5-inch sample (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, which includes about 200 strands, provides 100mg, an ideal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG tests and tests requiring more than 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. The term "head hair" specifically means scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other hair types like facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The drug test processing entails four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial sample processing within a lab’s system. It involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry that isn’t provided by an electronic custody chain.
Screening includes a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is economically efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be validated for court acceptance. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require verification.
When a sample tests positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are separated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Hanover, MN, hair follicle testing holds significant advantages over urine testing. Due to its ability to trace drug use for up to 90 days, it offers a broader window of detection compared to standard urine tests.
Employers and legal systems favor hair testing because it provides a clearer, more comprehensive picture of an individual's drug use history. This accuracy and extended detection period underscore its superiority over traditional urine tests.
Hair follicle testing stands out for its extended detection window, offering insights into an individual's drug use over a lengthy period, typically up to 90 days.
This extended window is a significant advantage for employers who require a thorough assessment of their employees' substance use histories, ensuring better-informed employment decisions.
Hair follicle tests significantly diminish the risk of sample tampering, providing a robust and reliable testing practice in Hanover, MN.
The inherent test design makes it exceptionally challenging to adulterate, delivering results that you can trust. This reliability is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the drug testing process.
In Hanover, MN, accessing drug testing services is straightforward thanks to our convenient nationwide and local testing sites.
The ease of access ensures that scheduling and completing a test is hassle-free, allowing individuals and companies to adhere to necessary protocols swiftly and without inconvenience.
Our hair follicle testing process prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality, ensuring client peace of mind in Hanover, MN.
From ordering a test to receiving results, each step is streamlined for ease of use while safeguarding personal information, assuring clients of privacy and discretion at all stages.
With competitive pricing and swift result turnaround, our drug testing services provide exceptional value to companies across Hanover, MN.
Our pricing structure ensures affordability without compromising quality, allowing businesses of all sizes to implement effective drug testing programs within their budget constraints.
Hair follicle drug tests boast a reputation for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results in Hanover, MN. The precision of these tests ensures that even minimal substance use is detected, providing a dependable assessment tool for employers and individuals.
Superior accuracy is one of the main advantages of hair follicle testing, capable of identifying various drugs with unmatched precision.
Choosing hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, providing peace of mind for employers in Hanover, MN.
This testing method not only protects businesses from potential legal entanglements but also fosters a safer, more secure working environment, reflecting the company's commitment to safety and regulation adherence.
