Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair screening has emerged as a significant technique for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug presence by embedding biomarkers within the developing hair fiber. When harvested near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.
A section of hair measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Use a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen weight. If scalp hair isn't available, equivalent body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we mean solely scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning deals with the primary processing of a sample within a lab's infrastructure. This step verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipment, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfills any further data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of an initial swift assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening offers a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug consumption in most cases, a positive outcome in screening necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal scenarios. Any samples presumptively positive in Screening require a subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample show presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are derived from hair at concentrations much lower than those of other methods (for instance, urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the hardest method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positivity are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the examination actually inspects the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing in Saint Paul Park, MN surpasses urine testing by providing superior detection accuracy and reliability.
This method ensures that previous substance use over a long period is detected, granting a more reliable overview.
In Saint Paul Park, MN, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, capturing drug use for up to 90 days.
Unlike other tests, hair analysis provides a more comprehensive profile, thus assisting employers in making informed decisions.
The hair follicle test in Saint Paul Park, MN minimizes the chance of tampering with the sample.
The importance of having an unaltered sample cannot be overstated as it ensures the outcomes accurately reflect the individual's substance use history.
With convenient testing locations in Saint Paul Park, MN, nationwide centers provide easy, hassle-free access to testing services.
This accessibility is crucial for providing a seamless experience for those in need of testing.
In Saint Paul Park, MN, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. Every stage from ordering to receiving results is designed to protect privacy and facilitate ease of use.
This straightforward approach guarantees that individuals undergo testing with confidence, knowing their information is protected and the steps are uncomplicated.
Offering affordable pricing and rapid turnaround in Saint Paul Park, MN, we ensure excellent value for businesses of all sizes.
Competitive rates coupled with prompt results cater to the growing demand for reliable and efficient drug testing solutions.
In Saint Paul Park, MN, hair follicle drug tests boast fast, precise, and reliable outcomes. They excel in identifying substance use due to their high accuracy.
With minimal delay, these tests offer information on drug use, ensuring individuals receive results promptly while maintaining high standards of accuracy.
For Saint Paul Park, MN employers, hair follicle testing offers compliance and peace of mind.
This method significantly alleviates employer concerns about drug use, boosting workplace safety and preventing potential legal issues.