Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying substance use of drugs and alcohol. Hair maintains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug activity by embedding biomarkers in the elements of the hair strand as it grows. When collected near the head, hair can reveal a detection window of around three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and it is easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the head yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample's weight on a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar volume of body hair can be gathered. When specifying head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in processing a drug test in the laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning covers the initial sample processing into the lab’s system. This step verifies the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal acceptability. Any presumptively positive samples during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
If Screening suggests a sample is positive, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at a lower concentration compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a challenging process to execute.
Positive screening results are validated via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is analyzed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards certification.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the assessment examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Pennington, MN, provides superior benefits over traditional urine testing, particularly in detecting drug use. While urine tests excel at identifying recent drug use, hair testing offers a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance history by detecting drug use over an extended period.
The reliable detection accuracy of hair tests means fewer false positives and negatives, making it a preferred choice for employers enforcing a drug-free workplace. Its robustness ensures results are both precise and consistent.
Employers in Pennington, MN, can rely on hair follicle testing to deliver a far-reaching detection window of up to 90 days. This method provides a broader look at an individual's past substance use, making it a crucial tool in pre-employment screenings and ongoing monitoring to maintain a drug-free workplace.
With this extended detection ability, hair tests prove valuable for assessing patterns of substance use, offering a more detailed picture than traditional testing methods such as urine tests, which cover much shorter periods.
The robust nature of hair follicle testing in Pennington, MN, significantly minimizes the risk of sample tampering. This testing method is admired for its tamper-resistant design, which ensures the integrity of the sample and the validity of the test results.
Unlike other testing methods, hair tests are difficult to manipulate, offering unquestionable reliability in results. Employers can thus have peace of mind knowing that the results accurately reflect the individual's substance use history.
With numerous nationwide and local testing centers in Pennington, MN, Accredited Drug Testing provides unparalleled convenience. Our widespread network ensures quick and hassle-free access to hair follicle drug testing services.
Local residents and businesses can benefit from our convenient testing solutions, which simplify the process of scheduling and conducting tests, allowing for a seamless experience and swift results.
In Pennington, MN, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be both simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease for all users. From ordering a test to receiving results, the process is streamlined to accommodate busy schedules and privacy concerns.
Our approach ensures that individuals feel comfortable throughout testing, offering confidentiality and professionalism at every stage, which is crucial for maintaining trust and securing accurate results.
Offering competitive pricing and efficient turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Pennington, MN, present exceptional value for different business sizes. Companies can benefit from affordable testing solutions without compromising on accuracy or service quality.
The swift processing of tests means that results are returned promptly, enhancing decision-making speed and workplace safety, while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
In Pennington, MN, hair follicle drug tests are distinguished by their ability to deliver fast, accurate, and dependable results, making them an ideal choice for substance detection. The precision of these tests ensures that even minimal drug use is identified, offering a higher accuracy level compared to other testing methods.
The speed at which results can be returned is another advantage of hair follicle testing, allowing employers and other stakeholders to make informed decisions swiftly. This efficiency is complemented by the test's accuracy, reducing the likelihood of false negatives or positives.
Hair follicle drug testing in Pennington, MN, enhances workplace safety, assuring employers of compliance with drug-free policies. By integrating this testing method, companies can minimize legal risks associated with drug use in the workplace.
Employers gain peace of mind by relying on the robustness of hair testing to enforce zero-tolerance policies, creating a safer and more productive working environment for all employees.
