Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair holds a comprehensive historical record of alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers within the shaft of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, fairly tough to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the area closest to the scalp, amounts to 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen comprising 150mg is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair not be obtainable, a similar amount of body hair can be gathered. When referencing head hair, it strictly pertains to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other categories of hair (beard, armpit, etc.).
Process Overview
The principal phases in the laboratory process for a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This involves checking that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, issuing a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of misuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further validation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction preparation. Here, drugs are withdrawn from hair at a lower concentration level compared to other approaches (such as urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug testing is notably challenging to conduct.
Confirmation of any initial positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive undergo cleansing before confirmation, if necessary. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 guidelines.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the examination itself evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In West Concord, MN, hair follicle testing overtakes urine tests by miles in terms of reliability and accuracy. While traditional urine tests may fall short in detection, hair tests present a superior approach with their enhanced precision, making them a go-to choice for a foolproof testing solution.
Offering an extended detection window, hair follicle testing in West Concord, MN, reveals drug usage up to 90 days prior. This feature provides employers with a detailed overview of a person's substance history, making it an invaluable resource for informed decision-making.
Hair follicle tests in West Concord, MN, are known for being tamper-resistant, drastically minimizing the probability of any sample adulteration. This testing method assures results that are both reliable and indisputable, making them a trustworthy choice for critical applications.
With the convenience of nationwide presence, including in West Concord, MN, testing centers ensure easy access to hair follicle drug testing. No matter where you are, swift and hassle-free testing services are always within reach.
In West Concord, MN, the hair follicle testing process remains straightforward and confidential. From test ordering to result receipt, the procedure guarantees privacy and remains user-friendly, alleviating privacy concerns and offering peace of mind.
Located in West Concord, MN, our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times set us apart in the realm of hair follicle testing. Businesses of all scales can benefit from our cost-effective solutions without compromising on speed and accuracy.
Experience fast and precise hair follicle drug testing in West Concord, MN. The method ensures high accuracy in detecting substances, providing results that are reliable and swift. Gone are the days of lengthy waiting periods or guesswork; hair follicle tests offer the most up-to-date insights into drug usage.
For employers based in West Concord, MN, adopting hair follicle testing assures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This move decreases legal liabilities and bolsters workplace safety, providing a reassuring environment for both management and employees alike.
