Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands offer a prolonged record of substance use through the entrapment of biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer up to nearly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is uncomplicated, relatively tough to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be acquired. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key phases in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. It involves ensuring the sample is correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary swift assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug presence in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples that show presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
If a sample appears presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the initial specimen for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positivity are washed before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Compared to traditional urine analyses, hair follicle tests in Ponemah, MN provide a superior detection capability. Their ability to showcase previous drug consumption with utmost accuracy positions them as a more reliable choice for employers and legal entities.
Hair follicle testing in Ponemah, MN offers an extended detection window, capturing drug use history up to 90 days. This advantage offers employers a detailed review of an individual's substance engagement over a prolonged timeframe.
The robustness of hair follicle tests in Ponemah, MN emerges from their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other tests, these are difficult to adulterate, offering businesses and legal authorities peace of mind with unquestionable results.
Ponemah, MN, benefits from both local and nationwide testing centers, offering unmatched convenience. Accessing testing services is streamlined, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free process for all users.
In Ponemah, MN, the hair follicle testing process remains simple and confidential, safeguarding privacy. From ordering to receiving results, users experience a straightforward procedure, alleviating concerns about ease of use.
Companies in Ponemah, MN can benefit from affordable pricing and swift turnaround times with hair follicle testing. This service offers exceptional value, ensuring businesses of all sizes receive cost-effective and reliable support.
In Ponemah, MN, hair follicle drug tests exhibit exceptional fast and accurate results, ensuring reliability in substance detection. The precision of this testing type lies in its ability to deliver high-level accuracy, making it a trusted choice for substance detection.
For employers in Ponemah, MN, hair follicle testing guarantees compliance with workplace drug policies. This ensures an environment of legal adherence and enhances overall workplace safety, offering peace of mind to management.
