Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged record of substances due to the embedding of biomarkers within the strands during hair growth. When sampled near the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol use up to roughly three months prior. Collecting hair is straightforward, it's challenging to tamper with, and it's convenient to send for analysis.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising about 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp results in a 100mg hair yield, which is ideal for both preliminary and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weight estimation is suggested. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The key stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is initially entered into the laboratory's workflow. This step involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any supplementary data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary check for substances of abuse. Although it is an economical approach to exclude drug use in the majority of cases, a positive result from Screening requires confirmation to be legally defensible. Samples that test positive in Screening necessitate a confirmatory test.
If Screening indicates possible drug presence, more hair is extracted from the original sample for further preparation in the Extraction stage. In this phase, drugs are extracted at a much lower concentration than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening particularly challenging.
Positive Screening results go through Confirmation using methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation as required. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is verified under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle located beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle tests in Arrow Point, MO, offer numerous benefits over urine tests, particularly in detection and reliability.
Why hair testing is superior:
Employers, the judiciary, and rehabilitation services increasingly favor hair analysis for its comprehensive insights into substance habits.
Offering an extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Arrow Point, MO, casts a longer-term net over substance use. Unlike other methods, hair analysis provides a panoramic view stretching up to 90 days into the past.
Longer detection advantage:
This capability identifies patterns beyond the scope of shorter-detection tests.
The hair follicle method in Arrow Point, MO, stands out as tamper-resistant, giving reliable and honest results. The risk of altering or adulterating samples is significantly minimized.
Benefits of tamper-resistance:
Such integrity is vital for accurate drug testing environments.
Conveniently located in Arrow Point, MO, our extensive network of testing locations ensures easy access to services.
Accessibility features:
Experience hassle-free testing procedures, both locally and nationally, at our centers.
Offering a straightforward and private approach, the hair follicle testing process in Arrow Point, MO, is user-friendly.
Ease of use:
The test is designed to address privacy concerns, ensuring comfort in use.
In Arrow Point, MO, our hair follicle drug testing provides affordable pricing and quick turnaround, ideal for businesses of all sizes.
Advantages:
Our services offer great value, aligning with various organizational budgets and timelines.
In Arrow Point, MO, hair follicle drug tests stand out with their precise and swift results. Unlike traditional methods, these tests offer unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance use.
High accuracy:
Such efficiency positions hair follicle testing as the preferred choice for those needing reliable evaluation.
Employers in Arrow Point, MO, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
Compliance advantages:
Through rigorous evaluations, these tests bolster organizational standards and security.
