Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair tests have emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a timeline of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can indicate up to a 3-month period of alcohol and drug usage. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests over 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. Use a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, a corresponding amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it pertains only to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key phases in the lab analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves integrating a sample into a lab’s system initially. This entails ensuring the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any extra data entry not available via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid check for drugs. While Screening cost-effectively excludes drug use for most samples, a positive screen should be verified to stand up in court. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening need another confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing a more challenging method.
Confirmation of a positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed as required before confirmation. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often mistaken as "hair follicle tests", the analysis inspects the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.
Hair follicle testing stands out in Augusta, MO, due to its superior accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. While urine screenings detect recent use, hair analysis provides a broader picture of drug habits. This makes it the preferred choice for enduring zero-tolerance policies. The comprehensive detection and reliability of hair tests surpass the limitations of urine, ensuring a secure and drug-free environment in various settings.
In Augusta, MO, hair follicle tests provide an expansive detection period, up to 90 days, for drug use history. Employers benefit from this extended window, gaining insights into long-term substance habits of employees or candidates. Unlike short-term urine tests, hair analysis offers a thorough view of a person's drug involvement, aiding in informed decision-making and promoting a drug-free workplace environment.
Hair follicle testing in Augusta, MO, offers a tamper-resistant method that mitigates the risk of sample adulteration. The inherent nature of hair testing discourages manipulation, ensuring that results are credible and unverifiable. With hair samples being difficult to alter, stakeholders, from employers to judicial systems, rely on their consistencies, thus enhancing confidence in drug testing outcomes.
Residents and businesses in Augusta, MO, benefit from our widespread testing centers, facilitating smooth access nationwide. These centers enable swift, stress-free hair follicle testing services ensuring seamless user experiences. With local and national locations, Accredited Drug Testing guarantees that Augusta clients enjoy convenience and timeliness, reducing disruption and simplifying the testing process.
Our user-friendly process in Augusta, MO, ensures that ordering, completing, and receiving hair follicle test results are both simple and confidential. We prioritize privacy, making sure clients feel secure throughout the process. With clear protocols in place, stakeholders can easily navigate and understand procedures, ensuring peace of mind and safeguarding personal information confidentiality.
In Augusta, MO, Accredited Drug Testing provides cost-effective hair follicle testing with prompt result turnarounds. Our competitive pricing ensures that businesses of all sizes can access our services without financial strain. The balance of affordability and swift service delivery empowers companies to maintain their drug-free standards, enhancing their operational value.
In Augusta, MO, hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision in identifying substance use. Their rapid analysis ensures that results are accurate and dependable, providing peace of mind for both individuals and organizations. The reliability of hair testing stems from its ability to discern even minimal drug usage over extended periods. This swift and exact method reassures Augusta residents of its effectiveness in maintaining safety and compliance.
For Augusta, MO employers, hair follicle testing ensures alignment with workplace drug policies, promoting safety and reducing legal issues. By adopting this stringent testing method, businesses fortify their drug-free work environments. Confidence in adherence to regulations is bolstered, offering peace of mind, and fostering a culture of accountability, leading to enhanced organizational productivity and legal coherence.
