Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When sampled near the scalp, hair offers a detection timeframe of up to three months for both alcohol and drugs. It's easy to collect, tough to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hairs (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample. If no scalp hair is present, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result consists of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a specimen into a lab's system. This process includes checking that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drug substances. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screening must be confirmed to stand in legal proceedings. Any samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening need further confirmation.
If a sample reveals a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from the hair in much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screen result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are cleaned prior to confirmation if needed. From Accessioning through to Confirmation, the entire lab process is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and also aligns with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
In Stewart, MN, hair follicle testing outpaces traditional urine tests in several ways. Hair testing offers a wider detection window, capturing substance use over months rather than days, providing employers with deeper insight into an individual’s long-term habits.
With superior accuracy, hair tests minimize false negatives, while the observed collection process curtails cheating opportunities. This approach ensures the reliability of results, supporting firm decisions based on confirmed data, unlike urine tests.
Hair follicle tests in Stewart, MN, provide an extended detection window, reviewing substance use history up to 90 days. This offers employers a comprehensive view of an employee or applicant’s drug-related behavior far beyond immediate consumption.
Such extended coverage is invaluable for organizations seeking to uphold strict drug-free policies, ensuring they can identify habitual users who pose risks to workplace safety and compliance standards.
The hair follicle tests in Stewart, MN, majorly minimize the chance of sample tampering. With its observable collection process, this method assures authenticity and accuracy, offering incontestable evidence of drug use.
Compared to urine testing, where adulteration is a common concern, hair follicle testing delivers a robust solution that upholds the integrity of the results and supports objective decision-making processes.
With testing centers scattered nationwide, including Stewart, MN, accessing hair follicle drug testing is straightforward and convenient. This network assures quick and hassle-free access to testing services, supportive of both local and traveling employees.
The availability of numerous locations ensures minimal downtime and quick turnaround, vital for businesses requiring timely results without enduring extensive logistical challenges.
In Stewart, MN, the process for hair follicle drug testing is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to sample collection and receiving results, privacy and ease are prioritized.
Customers can expect a streamlined experience, addressing any concerns about confidentiality, and ensuring results are delivered discreetly and promptly to authorized individuals, enhancing peace of mind.
Offering competitive pricing, Accredited Drug Testing in Stewart, MN, provides affordable hair follicle drug testing. This ensures companies of all sizes benefit from cutting-edge testing without financial strain.
The fast turnaround times further add value, allowing businesses to make timely decisions. This cost-effective model ensures quality results at prices that accommodate varied budgetary constraints.
In Stewart, MN, hair follicle drug tests stand out for offering both speed and precision. These tests provide quick results, ensuring timely decision-making for employers. The high level of accuracy is unmatched, allowing for the reliable detection of substance use.
One of the significant advantages is the reduced waiting time between testing and receiving results, which ensures better organizational efficiency. Employers benefit from fast, trustworthy insights into substance usage, vital for maintaining workplace safety.
Employers in Stewart, MN, find peace of mind using hair follicle testing to maintain drug-free policies. This method helps mitigate legal risks, demonstrating a commitment to safety and compliance.
By adopting hair follicle tests, companies ensure effective deterrence against substance abuse, enhancing workplace safety and reducing the potential for liabilities associated with drug-related incidents.
