Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Utilizing hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair retains a long-term history of alcohol and various drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When extracted near the scalp, hair can offer up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat arduous to tamper with, and simple to transport.
An ideal sample for screening and confirmation involves acquiring a 1.5-inch piece composed of around 200 strands of hair (resembles the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, supplying 100mg of hair. For EtG, supplementary testing, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, a total of 150mg of the specimen is suggested. Measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale is recommended. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair may be collected. When head hair is mentioned, it pertains to scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other forms of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four core stages involved in the lab processing for a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the preliminary processing of a sample into a laboratory’s records. This step ensures that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs an immediate preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage across most samples, yet a positive result necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples presumptively positive in Screening do require subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at reduced concentrations relative to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), illustrating why hair drug screening is a complex methodology to execute.
Confirmation for any positive screening result is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory protocol from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Sandstone, MN emphasizes the superior advantages of hair analyses. They offer better detection accuracy and reliability over traditional urine tests, primarily due to their longer detection windows and tamper-resistant nature, ensuring trustworthy results.
Extended Detection Window in Sandstone, MN provides employers with an expansive view of an individual's substance use history. Up to 90 days of detection ensures a comprehensive check of potential drug use, offering a detailed profile that urine tests cannot match.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Sandstone, MN significantly cuts down the chances of adulterating samples. Hair follicle tests are conducted under strict observation, making it highly reliable and producing results that are beyond reproach, reassuring employers of their accuracy.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Sandstone, MN are essential for accessibility. Our widespread centers guarantee easy access for everyone, providing hassle-free testing services across different cities and towns, making the testing process seamless.
Simple, Confidential Process in Sandstone, MN highlights privacy and ease for all participants. The ordering, testing, and result retrieval stages are straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns while ensuring user-friendliness throughout the process.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Sandstone, MN ensures competitive pricing and efficient service. With quick turnaround times, companies receive excellent value for investment, catering to businesses of all sizes seeking cost-effective testing solutions.
Fast Results in Sandstone, MN are crucial for time-sensitive situations, and hair follicle testing excels in this domain. It offers swift and precise detection of substances, ensuring reliable outcomes. With quick processing times, Sandstone clinics deliver efficient service to meet urgent testing requirements.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Sandstone, MN are vital in maintaining a drug-free workplace. Hair follicle testing aids in enforcing workplace policies, minimizing legal threats and fostering a safe workplace environment, ultimately ensuring peace of mind for employers.
