Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures long-term indicators of substances in its fibers during growth. When taken near the scalp, it offers roughly a 90-day detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair sample of about 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) near the scalp equates to 100mg, which is optimal for testing and verification. For EtG, additional assessments, or tests over 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is missing, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When we speak of head hair, it strictly means scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (such as facial and axillary).
Process Overview
The primary steps in processing a drug test at the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning covers the early integration of a sample into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial evaluation for drug presence. While it efficiently screens out non-drug usage in most cases, any positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal acceptance. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening need secondary verification.
For any presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is prepared for Extraction from the initial sample. Drugs are separated from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which makes hair drug analysis particularly challenging.
After a positive screening, Confirmation is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All presumptive positives are washed before confirmation if necessary. The lab’s process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair program and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests," these tests actually examine the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Nashwauk, MN, surpasses urine testing due to its enhanced detection capabilities. Hair tests cover a broader timeline, revealing substance usage that may be missed by traditional urine methods. The reliability and accuracy of these tests provide a comprehensive view of an individual's drug history, establishing a better safety net for employers.
One standout feature of hair follicle testing in Nashwauk, MN, is its ability to extend the detection window of drug use up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's substance history, providing an insightful perspective on their long-term behavior.
In Nashwauk, MN, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant testing method that minimizes the chances of sample tampering. Since it's collected directly from the individual under observation, it virtually eliminates the possibility of adulteration. This method ensures that the results remain consistent and credible.
Nashwauk, MN, enjoys the convenience of many nationwide testing locations, ensuring easy and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services. These well-distributed centers facilitate quick appointments and testing, catering to the needs of local employees and employers alike, without the strain of traveling far.
The process of hair follicle testing in Nashwauk, MN, is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease of use for all participants. From placing an order to receiving results, each step is designed with user comfort in mind, making the testing process transparent and stress-free.
Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times in Nashwauk, MN, make hair follicle testing both affordable and efficient. Employers find great value in the prompt results and comprehensive testing services offered, catering to companies of every size without compromising quality.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug testing in Nashwauk, MN offer a reliable method for detecting substance use. Not only does the test catch traces of drugs more accurately, but it also provides these results faster than alternative methods. This ensures employers get trustworthy insights swiftly, reinforcing the test's high reliability.
Employers in Nashwauk, MN, benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method mitigates legal risks and enhances safety measures, offering peace of mind. It acts as a robust deterrent against substance abuse, strengthening the integrity of the workplace.
