Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for detecting alcohol and drug use. It offers a comprehensive record of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the hair fibers as they grow. When hair is collected near the scalp, it provides a detection span of up to roughly 3 months for both alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) snagged near the scalp yields 100mg, which is an optimal amount for primary screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analyses, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. It’s recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary phases in lab processing of a drug analysis result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a specimen within the laboratory’s framework. This phase includes verifying the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening constitutes an initial evaluation for substance abuse. While Screening offers an affordable approach to discount drug use in most specimens, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. All specimens that yield a presumptive positive result in Screening require a further confirmation.
Should a specimen test presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug testing is the most complex technique to execute.
Any positive screening result undergoes Confirmation through processes like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All specimens testing presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The whole lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Billings, MO, lies in its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests offer a broader detection window compared to traditional urine screenings, revealing drug use patterns with precision and mitigating the risk of false negatives often associated with urine tests.
The extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing in Billings, MO, identifies drug use for up to 90 days. This extensive period provides employers with a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance consumption history, empowering informed hiring decisions and workplace assessments.
In Billings, MO, the tamper-resistant testing method of hair follicle tests significantly minimizes the possibility of sample adulteration. This approach ensures the integrity of the sample, granting employers confidence in the authenticity and accuracy of the results, free from manipulation risks.
With convenient nationwide testing locations including facilities in Billings, MO, our testing services offer quick access and ease. This extensive network allows hassle-free scheduling and prompt testing, accommodating the needs of employers and individuals alike with minimal disruption.
Our process is designed to be simple and confidential in Billings, MO. Clients can seamlessly order, take, and receive test results while ensuring privacy throughout the process. This offers peace of mind, addressing any concerns related to privacy or procedural complexity.
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Billings, MO, our services ensure exceptional value. Competitive pricing structures paired with swift result delivery bolster customer confidence and satisfaction, catering to companies across diverse scales and sectors.
In Billings, MO, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision in detecting substance use is unmatched, ensuring an accurate portrayal of an individual's substance history. Speedy analysis and dependable outcomes make hair testing a preferred choice for timely and trustworthy screenings.
Implementing hair follicle testing for maintaining compliance and peace of mind for employers in Billings, MO, assures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This testing method reduces legal risks and reinforces workplace safety, ensuring a secure environment conducive to productivity and trust.
