Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Testing hair is considered an efficient means for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair strands preserve a prolonged record of drug and alcohol presence by capturing tracing elements within the fibers of the strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer detection for alcohol and drugs up to roughly three months. The collection process is straightforward, with hair being relatively resistant to tampering and easy to send.
To obtain the ideal sample for analyzing and verifying, a hair snippet measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil), results in 100mg of hair. For Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) assessments, extra tests, and/or panels exceeding ten, it is advisable to gather 150mg. Utilizing a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample is suggested. In the absence of scalp hair, equivalent quantities from body hair can be used. References to head hair exclusively pertain to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing laboratory procedure is divided into four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the initial assimilation of a specimen into a lab's system. This step confirms proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns it a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any necessary manual data input missing from a digital custody chain.
The Screening phase involves an initial fast check for illegal drugs. While Screening offers a cost-efficient means to rule out drug use in the bulk of samples, court-admissible confirmation is required for positive results. Samples with preliminary positive findings in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation phase.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the main sample and readied for Extraction. Drugs are removed from hair at much lower concentrations during this phase compared to other methods like urine or saliva testing, making hair drug testing the most challenging method to conduct.
For any positive screening outcome, Confirmation is executed through methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Each presumptive positive sample undergoes a washing process before confirmation if necessary. The entire process—from Accessioning to Confirmation—is scrutinized based on both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Clarification: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests," this type of test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Saint Martin, MN Hair testing offers multiple advantages over traditional urine testing methods. Its superior accuracy and extended detection capabilities mean it's favored by many organizations.
Extended Detection Window in Saint Martin, MN Hair follicle testing excels in revealing drug use history over an extended period, often up to 90 days. This provides employers with a broader insight into an applicant or employee's substance habits.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Saint Martin, MN Hair follicle tests are practically immune to tampering, offering results that are both reliable and hard to dispute.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Saint Martin, MN Our extensive network of testing centers ensures that organizing and conducting tests is simple and efficient.
Simple, Confidential Process in Saint Martin, MN The procedure for conducting a hair follicle drug test is straightforward and confidential. It ensures privacy, making it easy for individuals to undergo testing without concerns.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Saint Martin, MN Our competitively priced hair follicle testing is paired with quick result times, delivering excellent service for businesses of any size.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Saint Martin, MN Hair follicle drug tests boast remarkable speed and accuracy. The advanced methods utilized can quickly identify drug use, offering a precise picture that businesses and agencies rely upon.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Saint Martin, MN By implementing hair follicle testing, employers can effectively uphold drug-free policies, minimizing legal issues and promoting a safer work environment.
