Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is regarded as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within its fibers, offering a historical record of drug and alcohol use over time. When hair is obtained close to the scalp, it can reflect a detection period of up to around three months for drugs and alcohol. Collection is straightforward, it is challenging to tamper with, and it is easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample, comprising about 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp, will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes hair from other body areas (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The primary four steps in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is integrated into the lab system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and addresses any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
In Screening, an initial evaluation is conducted to identify drugs of abuse. While this step is a cost-efficient approach to rule out drug use for most samples, any positive findings require validation to be legally accepted. Thus, samples testing presumptively positive must undergo confirmation.
If there is a presumptive positive outcome during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is set aside for Extraction. This phase involves pulling drugs from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods such as urine or oral fluid testing, why hair drug testing is considered a challenging technique to master.
Positive results from Screening undergo Confirmation via methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples are pre-washed when necessary before confirmation. The process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Weston, MN, hair follicle testing trumps urine testing due to its superior detection capabilities. Hair tests provide more accurate and dependable results, ensuring effective substance use identification.
Hair follicle tests in Weston, MN allow employers an extensive view of an individual's substance use over up to 90 days, ensuring thorough evaluations.
Weston, MN benefits from the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing, which significantly reduces the chance of sample manipulation, ensuring credible outcomes.
With testing centers available nationwide and locally in Weston, MN, we guarantee convenient access to our hair follicle testing services.
The hair follicle testing process in Weston, MN is straightforward and discreet, ensuring ease of use while maintaining privacy and confidentiality.
Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, our hair follicle testing in Weston, MN provides excellent value, catering to businesses of all sizes.
Hair follicle testing in Weston, MN offers unmatched accuracy and prompt results. This testing method is recognized for its high precision in determining substance use, providing reliable data swiftly.
Hair follicle testing in Weston, MN helps employers comply with drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal issues and promoting safety.
