Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as a compelling approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-lasting record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they develop. When taken close to the scalp, hair can present roughly a three-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drug presence. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
An ideal sample size for testing and confirmation is a 1.5-inch length comprising about 200 strands of hair (about the size of a #2 pencil) from nearest the scalp, offering 100mg of hair. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or tests more than 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It is advisable to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we exclusively refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In Accessioning, the sample enters the laboratory's system for initial processing. This step includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a swift preliminary check for substances of abuse. Although Screening is efficient for ruling out drug usage in most samples, any positive Screening needs confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptively positive samples in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Upon a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. At this point, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than with other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used to confirm any positive Screening outcomes. Pre-confirmation washing is performed on all presumptive positive samples as needed. The complete laboratory process—from Accessioning to Confirmation—is scrutinized according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the test focuses on the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.
The advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests are notable in Bellerive Acres, MO. This method stands out due to its heightened detection accuracy and greater reliability compared to urine testing.
Furthermore, the ability to detect substances over a longer period makes hair follicle testing a more effective tool for employers and legal entities to monitor substance use effectively.
In Bellerive Acres, MO, hair follicle testing offers a valuable extended detection window. This allows for a comprehensive understanding of a person's substance use history by identifying drug usage over 90 days.
Such extended detection is particularly beneficial for employers seeking insights into potential employees' longer-term habits, thereby enhancing workplace safety and group dynamics.
Bellerive Acres, MO, benefits from the hair follicle testing's reduced risk of sample adulteration. This enhanced resistance to tampering ensures reliability, leaving little room for manipulation compared to other testing methods.
The method's dependability delivers trustworthy results, essential for maintaining confidence in the testing process's integrity and in enforcing zero-tolerance policies.
Offering convenient testing locations nationwide, including in Bellerive Acres, MO, our centers are simple to access, providing quick and unhindered testing processes.
The broad national reach of our centers ensures that clients can effortlessly utilize reliable services without geographical constraints, supporting their needs efficiently wherever they are located.
In Bellerive Acres, MO, acquiring hair follicle testing services ensures a process that is both confidential and straightforward. From ordering tests to receiving results, the system duly respects privacy.
The seamless nature of this approach addresses privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use, making the procedure accessible and user-friendly across various client demographics.
Bellerive Acres, MO, enjoys the benefits of our affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times. Our competitive pricing ensures financial access while providing quick results to support informed decision-making.
Ultimately, our approach proves cost-effective, offering excellent value and peace of mind for companies, enhancing operational efficiency without stretching budgets.
In Bellerive Acres, MO, hair follicle drug tests boast unmatched speed and precision. The method's superior accuracy continues to gain trust for detecting substance use, significantly improving decision-making processes compared to traditional methods.
Hair follicle testing ensures fast turnaround and consistency, which are crucial for swift action, especially in high-stakes environments where time-sensitive decisions are necessary.
For employers in Bellerive Acres, MO, hair follicle testing helps ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This contributes significantly to reducing legal risks and fostering a safer working environment.
Implementing such testing measures promotes peace of mind, enabling company leaders to prioritize safety and compliance with confidence in their selected drug testing strategy.
