Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is perceived as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a comprehensive history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can provide up to an approximately 3-month detection window for alcohol and other substances. It is straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches with around 200 strands of hair (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the ideal quantity for analysis. For EtG, supplementary tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. It is recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When referencing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair refers to all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample into a lab’s system. This includes verifying that the specimen was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid test for drugs. While Screening efficiently rules out drug use in most samples, a positive result needs confirmation to be valid in legal contexts. Any samples that test as presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further validation.
In the event of a presumptive positive sample in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging method to administer.
Confirmation of any positive result from screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are preliminarily positive undergo washing before confirmation if required. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed following both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the test actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Brighton, MO, is evident through various advantages. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy, surveying drug use over extended periods.
Extended Detection Window makes hair follicle testing invaluable in Brighton, MO. Analyzing substance history up to 90 days gives employers insight beyond standard tests.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Brighton, MO, fortifies the credibility of hair follicle tests. These tests dramatically minimize sample tampering risks.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations including Brighton, MO, facilitate hassle-free access to our services. Our centers ensure simple testing processes.
Simple, Confidential Process in Brighton, MO, guarantees your privacy in ordering, testing, and result delivery. We address confidentiality with:
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround for companies in Brighton, MO, is our hallmark. Enjoy competitive rates and rapid result processing.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Brighton, MO, are what our hair follicle drug tests provide. These tests not only illuminate substance use with high accuracy but also deliver results swiftly.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Brighton, MO, is achievable through hair follicle testing. This method aligns with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal ramifications.
