Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a robust technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a longitudinal record of substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a three-month detection span for substances like alcohol. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion containing approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp produces 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional markers, or panels exceeding ten, 150mg is advisable. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not obtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. In reference to head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis for a drug test follows four fundamental steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab’s framework. This entails ensuring the sample is sealed and conveyed correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary assessment for substance misuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal validity. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
If a specimen is presumably positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug screening as the most challenging technique.
Confirmation of any initial positive outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated both by the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the certification to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being known as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Mahtowa, MN
Hair testing offers enhanced detection accuracy over traditional urine tests. With a broader detection window and greater reliability, it provides an unparalleled solution for comprehensive drug use history assessment.
Extended Detection Window in Mahtowa, MN
The hair follicle testing method uncovers drug use across a significantly lengthier timeframe, often up to 90 days. This gives employers a detailed understanding of a candidate's past substance usage patterns.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Mahtowa, MN
Hair follicle tests are a robust deterrent against sample tampering, ensuring that results are authentic and dependable. This decreases the chance of adulterated test samples.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Mahtowa, MN
Our expansive network of testing centers, including those in Mahtowa, offers clients convenient access to efficient testing services across the nation.
Simple, Confidential Process in Mahtowa, MN
Our straightforward procedure ensures privacy while facilitating the ordering, testing, and result retrieval phases, addressing users' privacy concerns effectively.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Mahtowa, MN
We provide competitive pricing and rapid result delivery, giving unmatched value and peace of mind to businesses of various sizes.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Mahtowa, MN
Hair follicle drug tests in Mahtowa provide precise and swift results. Their high accuracy in detecting substances ensures confidence in outcomes, making them a reliable choice for employers and institutions seeking trustworthy testing solutions.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Mahtowa, MN
Utilizing hair follicle tests helps employers adhere to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal challenges and bolstering safety and compliance.
