Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair samples offer a long-term overview of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When obtained close to the scalp, hair allows for nearly a 3-month detection period for substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to alter, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil), closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is advised to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair can be collected. When speaking of head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory handling of a drug test result encompasses four principal phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of the sample into a lab's system. This step ensures that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screening outcome requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples deemed presumptive positive in Screening must undergo a secondary verification.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive outcome during Screening, additional hair is drawn from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, substances are removed from hair at concentrations much lower than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug testing one of the most challenging methods to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The full lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is done on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Northfield, MN, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing methods with numerous advantages. Hair tests boast longer detection durations, capturing substance use over several months. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle exams are difficult to tamper with, ensuring authentic results. This reliability offers peace of mind to employers, courts, and individuals seeking comprehensive assessments.
Hair follicle testing in Northfield, MN provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This long-term overview is invaluable for employers examining potential or current employees' substance histories. By offering a wider detection range than standard methods, hair testing gives companies a more complete picture, crucial for maintaining drug-free workplaces and making informed hiring decisions.
In Northfield, MN, hair follicle testing stands out as a tamper-resistant method, reducing the risk of sample adulteration significantly. Hair tests undergo an observed collection process, making it exceedingly difficult for individuals to manipulate outcomes. This ensures that the results are dependable and trustworthy, providing organizations with certainty in their drug testing protocols.
Offering convenient, nationwide testing locations, including local centers in Northfield, MN, ensures accessibility to testing services. This widespread availability makes the process quick and hassle-free, accommodating the needs of a diverse client base. No matter the location, our centers provide timely and efficient testing to meet demanding schedules.
The process in Northfield, MN is both simple and confidential, addressing concerns of privacy and ease of use. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward, ensuring participants' peace of mind. This streamlined procedure guarantees confidentiality, making hair follicle testing an approachable option for all clients in need of discrete assessments.
Our competitive pricing in Northfield, MN, combined with rapid turnaround times, assures affordable testing solutions that cater to businesses of all sizes. Quick processing and reliable results provide great value, ensuring companies maintain a drug-free environment without excessive expenditure, enhancing their operational effectiveness.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Northfield, MN are unparalleled. These tests offer high accuracy, quickly detecting recent substance use. Their reliability ensures employers receive dependable results, supporting critical decision-making processes. Faster turnaround times for results mean less downtime, aiding in the swift progression of the hiring process or employee evaluations.
Employers in Northfield, MN gain compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. By enforcing workplace drug-free policies effectively, companies minimize legal risks and enhance safety. Reliable testing instills confidence, ensuring employees adhere to policies, boosting organizational integrity and contributing to a secure and productive environment.
