Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying substance consumption. Hair carries an extended timeline of substance presence by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the growing hair. When cut close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeline of up to roughly three months for substances like alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample amount for analysis and verification. For EtG assessments or more comprehensive analyses beyond 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparable amount of body hair can be obtained. When referring to head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (beard, underarm, etc.).
Process Outline
The four core stages in laboratory handling of a drug screening result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the preliminary handling of a specimen within a laboratory's framework. This process ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data that isn’t covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial assessment for potential substance abuse. While Screening provides an economical solution for eliminating drug use possibilities in most samples, a positive result must be verified to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening need additional confirmation.
If indicated as presumptively positive during Screening, extra hair from the original sample is set aside for Extraction. In this phase, substances are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug testing one of the most intricate methodologies.
Confirmation of any positive result during Screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives are cleansed for confirmation if required. The complete laboratory operation, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the skin.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Hattiesburg, MS
The advantages of hair testing over traditional urine tests are significant. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability, particularly in long-term drug use analysis, making it a preferred choice for many.
Extended Detection Window in Hattiesburg, MS
Hair follicle testing provides a considerable detection window of up to 90 days. This extended period allows employers to obtain a comprehensive assessment of an individual's drug use history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hattiesburg, MS
The resilience of hair follicle tests against tampering is notable. These tests significantly diminish the possibility of specimen adulteration, ensuring dependable, indisputable results for every evaluation.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Hattiesburg, MS
With testing centers available nationwide, we guarantee convenient and hassle-free access to services, ensuring secure and efficient hair follicle drug testing for all.
Simple, Confidential Process in Hattiesburg, MS
Our procedure for ordering, conducting, and receiving results is straightforward and private. We prioritize confidentiality to alleviate privacy concerns, ensuring a smooth and secure testing experience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hattiesburg, MS
Our competitive pricing and rapid result delivery provide great value, offering peace of mind to businesses of all scales seeking dependable drug testing solutions.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hattiesburg, MS
Hair follicle drug tests are recognized for their precision and efficiency. The advanced technology in these tests ensures high accuracy in identifying drug usage, offering swift results that Hattiesburg residents can rely on.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hattiesburg, MS
Utilizing hair follicle testing aids in adhering to drug-free workplace policies. This method mitigates the risk of legal complications, simultaneously bolstering workplace safety and employer confidence.
