Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and substance intake by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection range of up to around three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and hassle-free to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg, which is the perfect amount for initial tests and subsequent confirmations. For enhanced tests like EtG or when exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. In cases where scalp hair is unattainable, a similar volume of body hair can be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory workflow for processing a drug test result consists of four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's system. This stage involves ensuring the sample was securely sealed and shipped, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) randomly, and inputting any additional details not available through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts a preliminary review for substances of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive results require confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening need a secondary verification.
If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, substances are drawn out from hair at a much lower concentration than with other techniques (like urine or saliva), making hair drug screening a more challenging method to execute.
Verification of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive specimen is cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The whole lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Mayer, MN stands out due to its enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. The hair test's ability to pick up on drug use over an extended period offers a more thorough insight into an individual's substance history, surpassing the limitations of urine tests.
In Mayer, MN, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This advantage provides employers a detailed understanding of an applicant's or employee's substance history, allowing for better-informed hiring or retention decisions.
The risk of sample adulteration is significantly minimized with hair follicle tests in Mayer, MN. This tamper-resistant method ensures that results are reliable and unquestionable, making it a trustworthy option for employers seeking accurate and secure drug screening processes.
With testing centers nationwide, including in Mayer, MN, the convenience of hair follicle testing is unmatched. Our locations provide quick and easy access to testing services, making the process hassle-free for individuals and employers alike.
In Mayer, MN, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering a test, providing a sample, and receiving results are all streamlined to ensure privacy and ease of use, addressing any concerns individuals may have about personal privacy and test accuracy.
Affordable pricing and fast turnaround times define our hair follicle testing services in Mayer, MN. Our competitive pricing structures allow businesses of any size to benefit from quick, reliable results without breaking the bank, offering exceptional value and peace of mind.
Hair follicle testing in Mayer, MN provides fast, reliable, and accurate results. This method is superior in detecting substance use thanks to its high precision. It quickly delineates a person's history of drug or alcohol use, ensuring decisions based on these tests are well-informed and dependable.
For Mayer, MN employers, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. By adopting this testing method, employers can reduce legal risks and increase workplace safety, providing peace of mind through comprehensive substance use detection.
