Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as a robust tool for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and drug consumption by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When harvested close to the scalp, hair can offer approximately a 3-month detection range for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample of approximately 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (including facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This phase ensures that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening denotes the initial swift evaluation for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective means to dismiss drug presence in most samples, positive screenings need confirmation for court acceptance. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require a subsequent verification.
Should a sample be presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are drawn out from hair at significantly lower concentrations than through alternate methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug screening is particularly challenging to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive findings from screening occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptive positives are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle tests provide a distinct advantage over traditional urine tests by offering enhanced detection accuracy and reliability in Jeffers, MN. These tests can identify substance use patterns that urine tests might miss, delivering superior insight.
While urine tests are common, hair testing offers an admirable scope, pinpointing substance abuse over extended periods with unmatched precision.
Employers in Jeffers, MN value hair follicle testing for its extended detection window of up to 90 days, offering a comprehensive substance usage profile.
Unlike other methods, this test provides a panoramic view of historical drug use, beneficial for understanding long-term habits.
Hair follicle testing in Jeffers, MN, offers a tamper-resistant method that ensures sample integrity, reducing adulteration risks.
This reliable testing method delivers unquestionable results, setting a robust standard against cheating attempts.
The availability of nationwide and local testing centers in Jeffers, MN makes accessing drug testing services easy and convenient.
Ensuring hassle-free and quick access, these centers prove invaluable for efficient testing experiences.
The hair follicle testing process in Jeffers, MN is both simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns.
This streamlined process from test ordering to receiving results ensures ease of use and discretion for all involved parties.
Competitive pricing structures and fast turnaround times in Jeffers, MN offer exceptional value for companies of all sizes.
With attention to affordability and swiftness, these testing solutions deliver both cost-effectiveness and peace of mind to businesses.
In Jeffers, MN, the efficiency of hair follicle drug testing is unmatched, offering precise, rapid results. Hair testing ensures a high accuracy level in identifying substances, making it a preferred choice.
The methodology emphasizes speed and accuracy, leading to reliable substance use detection and fostering confidence among testing candidates and administrators alike.
In Jeffers, MN, hair follicle drug testing upholds workplace compliance and maintains drug-free environments, mitigating legal risks and bolstering safety measures.
Employers gain both compliance assurance and peace of mind, ensuring a secure and regulated work setting.
