Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of substances by capturing biomarkers within the strands as the hair grows. Hair samples collected near the scalp offer an approximate detection period of up to 3 months for drugs and alcohol. The collection process is straightforward, is somewhat resistant to tampering, and facilitates simple shipping.
A 1.5-inch hair sample comprising around 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, the preferred amount for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or beyond 10-panel tests, 150mg of hair is advisable. Use a jeweler's scale for precise weighing. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be utilized. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing stages for drug test results are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into a lab’s system. This involves ensuring proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing additional data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a quick preliminary assessment for substance abuse. While cost-efficient for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptive positives in Screening need secondary authentication.
Should a sample test presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening a challenging methodology.
The Confirmation of positive screening results is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The end-to-end laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation complies with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Woodland, MN is due to superior detection methods.
Extended Detection Window in Woodland, MN gives employers a longer detection timeline.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Woodland, MN offers an extra layer of security and accuracy.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Woodland, MN mean hassle-free testing access.
Simple, Confidential Process in Woodland, MN guarantees privacy and ease.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Woodland, MN offer competitive advantages.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Woodland, MN come down to the precision of hair follicle drug tests. Their ability to accurately uncover substance use makes them a favorite choice.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Woodland, MN can be ensured through hair follicle testing.