Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as a significant method for detecting both drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended historical record of these substances by capturing markers within the strands' fibers as they grow. When cut close to the scalp, it can furnish up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) close to the scalp will yield 100mg, the optimal amount for testing and validation. For EtG, added tests, and/or screens exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is suggested as the sample size. It's advisable to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent sample of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).
Workflow Summary
The primary steps in the laboratory handling of a drug test include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is about the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab's system. This process ensures the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes further data input not available from an electronic custody chain.
Screening is a preliminary check for drug use. While screening is an efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for legal acceptability. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening need additional confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, more hair is drawn from the original sample for the Extraction phase. During this phase, drugs are removed from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies.
Positive screening results are validated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS procedures. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before final confirmation, as needed. The full lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and follows ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis concerns the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Pine Bend, MN, clearly outperforms urine testing when it comes to accuracy and reliability. The ability to detect substances over an extended period is a key advantage, making it a superior choice for employers and organizations seeking thorough drug use assessments.
While urine tests are effective for short-term detection, hair tests offer insights into long-term substance habits.
Hair follicle tests boast an extended detection window in Pine Bend, MN, spanning up to 90 days. This allows employers to have a detailed understanding of an individual’s drug usage history. Unlike short-term solutions, hair testing provides a comprehensive view, making it invaluable for assessing the long-term substance habits of employees or applicants.
With the implementation of hair follicle tests in Pine Bend, MN, the risk of sample tampering is significantly minimized. This testing method ensures reliable results that are virtually immune to adulteration, providing peace of mind for administrators seeking uncontaminated, honest outcomes in substance use assessments.
Our testing centers, widely available nationwide and locally in Pine Bend, MN, offer unparalleled convenience. This accessibility guarantees that clients can easily schedule and perform hair follicle testing without hassle, providing a seamless experience for individuals and organizations alike.
In Pine Bend, MN, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering the test to collecting samples and receiving results, privacy and ease of use are prioritized, ensuring a comfortable experience for all participants while safeguarding sensitive information.
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Pine Bend, MN, our hair follicle testing services deliver excellent value. Competitive pricing structures, paired with quick results, provide companies of all sizes with efficient, cost-effective testing solutions that meet budgetary constraints without compromising quality.
In Pine Bend, MN, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and precision. These tests offer highly accurate results, enabling swift and reliable detection of substances. The modern technology used in hair follicle analysis ensures not only accuracy but also quick turnaround times, making them an ideal choice for those needing prompt results.
Adopting hair follicle testing in Pine Bend, MN, helps employers maintain compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This testing method reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety by ensuring accurate detection of drug use, thereby contributing to a healthier, more productive work environment.
