Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now regarded as an effective means for detecting substance use. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug consumption by embedding biomarkers within the hair's growing fibers. Sampling hair near the scalp can reveal drug or alcohol use over a period extending to about three months. Hair is straightforward to collect, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.
A snippet measuring 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, amounts to 100mg, which is the perfect sample for tests and confirmations. For EtG, enhancements, and tests beyond 10 panels, it's advised to collect 150mg of the specimen. We suggest employing a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen’s weight. If scalp hair isn't available, the equivalent quantity of body hair may be utilized. By "head hair," we specifically mean scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab phase for processing a drug test result entails the following steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning deals with the sample's initial lab system processing. This process confirms correct sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes a prompt preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although it offers a cost-efficient means to dismiss drug usage in most samples, any positive screen mandates confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples that test as presumptively positive during Screening require additional confirmatory testing.
For samples with presumptive positive results in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmatory tests for any positive Screening outcomes are carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples that test as presumptive positive are cleaned prior to confirmation when necessary. The lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation falls under scrutiny by the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the method itself assesses the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing against the urine test in Beechwood, MS, the former emerges superior due to its heightened detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests provide broader oversight into drug usage spans.
Hair follicle testing offers an extended window of detection up to 90 days, providing insight into an individual's substance history. For employers in Beechwood, MS, this period grants foresight into employee or applicant habits, beyond immediate usage.
The possibility of tampering diminishes with hair follicle tests in Beechwood, MS. This method offers reliable and authentic results, decreasing risks associated with sample adulteration present in other testing forms.
Our testing locations span nationwide, including facilities in Beechwood, MS, offering convenience and accessibility. The wide network supports swift, stress-free drug and alcohol testing services to meet diverse client needs.
The simplicity and confidentiality of the drug testing process in Beechwood, MS, assure clients of privacy and ease from ordering to obtaining results. This user-friendly procedure addresses any privacy concerns one might have.
In Beechwood, MS, our competitive pricing combined with fast turnaround times provides companies of all sizes with exceptional value. Organizations benefit from peace of mind, knowing they're receiving both quality and efficiency.
In Beechwood, MS, the precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests stand as a testament to modern technology, ensuring utmost accuracy in substance detection. Rapid processing times equate to faster decision-making for critical scenarios.
Employers in Beechwood, MS, find that hair follicle tests align with workplace safety regulations, ensuring a drug-free environment. Compliance with such testing protocols provides legal protection and cultivates a secure workspace.
