Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now regarded as an effective means for detecting alcohol and drug intake. The hair captures biomarkers in its fibers, offering an extended history of substance use. When obtained near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use over a span of up to three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, reasonably immune to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximating the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, optimal for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional parameters, and/or testing beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a proportional amount of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, it specifically points to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Procedure Summary
The process of analyzing a drug test in a lab comprises four pivotal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the primary phase where a sample is fed into a lab's system. This step confirms that the sample is appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigns a discrete LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data input not accommodated by an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening is an initial rapid assessment for illicit substances. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient method for discounting drug intake in most samples, any positives detected must undergo confirmation for legal validity. Samples registering as presumptive positives during Screening necessitate a further confirmation step.
For samples flagged as presumptive positives during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial collection and set aside for Extraction. Drugs are isolated from the hair at notably reduced concentrations compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is regarded as a challenging method to conduct.
Any positive indication from the Screening is confirmed using techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Necessary washing of all presumptive positive samples occurs before confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specifications and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Pros of hair drug analysis:
Cons:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
When it comes to detecting substances, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests in Lucas, MS. Hair tests, superior in their detection accuracy, provide a reliable alternative.
Advantages over Urine Testing:
In Lucas, MS, hair follicle testing offers an extended window for detecting drug use. Unlike other methods, it reveals a detailed substance history over 90 days, aiding employers.
This method provides a comprehensive view of an employee's past, ensuring informed decision-making based on thorough historical insights.
Lucas, MS’s hair follicle tests dramatically reduce sample tampering risks, delivering results you can trust. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests provide a tamper-resistant solution.
Employers can rely on the credibility of this method, ensuring results remain unquestioned and unmanipulated.
In Lucas, MS, the array of nationwide testing centers promotes convenience. Whether local or across states, access to testing is seamless and user-friendly.
Our expansive network ensures that testing services are readily available wherever needed, excluding the hassle of long waits.
Ensuring simplicity and confidentiality, our process in Lucas, MS caters to privacy and ease. Ordering, testing, and result retrieval remain stress-free yet discreet.
Clients are assured of their privacy, with straightforward procedures simplifying the testing experience to alleviate concerns.
Competitive pricing matched with swift turnaround spells value in Lucas, MS. Companies large and small benefit from cost-effective solutions and quick results.
Our pricing structures and response times guarantee satisfaction, providing both financial and operational reassurance.
The precision and efficiency of hair follicle testing ensure prompt, trustworthy results in Lucas, MS. With cutting-edge methods, it offers an accurate measure of substance use, promising robust detection.
Speedy and reliable, hair tests swiftly unveil recent and long-used substances. Its unparalleled precision aids in critical decision-making for employers.
For businesses in Lucas, MS, hair follicle testing secures adherence to drug-free policies. It minimizes potential legal complications while bolstering workplace safety.
The peace of mind provided by comprehensive testing assures employers of maintaining compliance effortlessly.
