Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the hair's fibers as it grows. When taken near the scalp, it can indicate drug and alcohol use for nearly three months. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to alter, and straightforward to transport.
An ideal screening and confirmation sample comprises a 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (approximately pencil thickness) nearest to the scalp, yielding 100mg of hair. For extensive testing like EtG or beyond 10-panel tests, 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Procedure Summary
The four crucial stages in laboratory drug test processing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial processing phase where a sample is incorporated into a lab's system. This step involves ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not already included by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drug presence. Although cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples that test positive during Screening require further verification.
In cases of presumptive positives in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for further preparation during the Extraction phase. Here, hair undergoes drug extraction at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting hair testing as a particularly challenging method.
Confirmation of screening positives is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleansed as required. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", this process evaluates the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Madison, MN, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in multiple ways.
Primarily, hair testing offers substantially longer detection periods, uncovering drug use up to 90 days back. Its accuracy in identifying substance use is superior, largely thanks to its resistance to manipulation—making it a preferred choice for anyone enforcing zero-tolerance policies. The reliability and comprehensive analysis hair tests provide make them a standout option.
Employers in Madison, MN appreciate hair follicle testing for its extended detection capability—up to 90 days.
This comprehensive view allows employers to assess an individual’s substance history thoroughly. Unlike urine tests which only detect recent use, hair testing offers insights into long-term habits, aiding in more informed hiring and evaluation decisions. This advantage makes it a keystone in maintaining drug-free environments.
Hair follicle tests in Madison, MN offer a robust method to prevent sample tampering.
The nature of the test makes it incredibly challenging to manipulate results, providing confidence in the integrity of each test. This tamper-resistant feature is crucial for ensuring that test results remain credible and trustworthy, rendering them an ideal choice for entities aiming to uphold stringent drug use policies and ensuring authenticity in results.
With convenient testing centers nationwide, including Madison, MN, accessing hair follicle testing is quick and hassle-free.
We ensure widespread availability to facilitate easy and efficient testing, meeting the needs of individuals and businesses promptly. Our locations prioritize customer convenience and offer streamlined operations, ensuring that anyone seeking testing encounters minimal challenges and maximizes their access to high-quality testing services.
In Madison, MN, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential.
From ordering tests to obtaining results, simplicity and privacy are prioritized, alleviating any privacy concerns. Our streamlined procedure ensures ease of use for all participants, maintaining confidentiality throughout the testing journey. Our commitment to a user-friendly experience ensures that individuals and organizations alike find the process both approachable and satisfying.
Madison, MN stands out for its competitive pricing and swift turnaround for hair follicle testing.
We provide value through economical pricing models without compromising on speed, ensuring that all organizations, regardless of size, access top-notch testing. Fast result delivery ensures businesses make informed decisions without delay, offering peace of mind coupled with financial prudence, underscoring our commitment to quality and affordability.
Speed and accuracy define hair follicle drug tests in Madison, MN. These tests excel in detecting a wide array of substances swiftly and reliably.
The high precision ensures that results are both fast and trustworthy, providing a dependable solution for understanding substance use patterns. Hair testing is unrivaled in accurately capturing a complete picture of an individual's substance intake over time, enhancing decision-making for employers and legal entities.
Madison, MN employers gain assurance and compliance through hair follicle testing.
This method supports adherence to workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal liabilities and boosting organizational safety. By choosing hair testing, companies fortify their stance on eliminating substance use and protecting their staff, while also satisfying necessary regulatory requirements and achieving peace of mind in maintaining a secure, conducive working environment.