Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a history of alcohol and drug use by holding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When cut closely to the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, moderately tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the ideal amount for both screening and confirmation. For examinations such as EtG add-ons and tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not available, an equal quantity of body hair may be used. When referring to head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses any other hair type (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The main steps in laboratory handling of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is introduced into a lab system. This step checks the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any other necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers a preliminary check for drug abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective measure for eliminating drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for it to hold up in legal contexts. Any samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug testing one of the most complex methodologies to execute.
Positive screening results are confirmed through methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under the supervision of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand, not on the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Brookfield, MO, stands out against traditional urine testing due to its superior accuracy and extensive detection period. Unlike urine tests, which are limited in their detection window, hair tests provide a broader perspective on substance use history.
The reliability and accuracy of hair testing make it a preferred choice for employers wanting to establish robust drug-free environments. Its nuanced detection capabilities offer employers assurance in upholding policy standards beyond what urine tests can provide.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Brookfield, MO, is a significant advantage, covering up to 90 days of possible substance use. This extended period provides a more comprehensive view, helping employers see the full picture of an individual's substance history.
This extended detection is invaluable for employers wanting to maintain a safe and compliant workplace. It offers insights that urine tests miss, ensuring informed decision-making regarding employment and workplace safety protocols.
Hair follicle testing in Brookfield, MO, greatly minimizes the risk of sampling tampering, ensuring results that are both reliable and uncontestable. This anti-tampering advantage is one of the cornerstones of why hair tests are preferred over more easily manipulated urine tests.
The robustness of hair follicle testing ensures that employers and legal entities can have confidence in the results, offering a degree of certainty and credibility that less secure testing methods cannot match.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient locations throughout Brookfield, MO, and Nationwide. With our expansive network of facilities, accessing hair follicle testing is both simple and hassle-free, ensuring prompt service delivery.
Employers and individuals in Brookfield will appreciate the ease with which they can access our local testing sites, streamlining the process of obtaining accurate and reliable test results.
In Brookfield, MO, the process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential, ensuring users can order, take, and receive their results with ease. Privacy is a top priority, maintaining user trust and comfort.
The seamless process emphasizes simplicity from start to finish. Users are guaranteed confidentiality, which enhances the overall experience, making hair testing the preferred choice for substance use evaluation.
Accredited Drug Testing in Brookfield, MO, provides competitive pricing for hair follicle testing, coupled with rapid turnaround times. This combination delivers exceptional value, meeting the needs of businesses both big and small.
Our affordable pricing structure ensures that quality testing services are accessible without imposing on financial resources, enhancing workplace safety with cost-effective solutions.
In Brookfield, MO, hair follicle drug testing offers unmatched speed and precision. The accuracy of these tests in identifying substance use is unrivaled, ensuring reliable results quickly and effectively. Hair testing's ability to detect drugs enhances both workplace safety and individual accountability.
The precise nature of hair testing comes from its advanced analytical methodologies, providing clear and definitive results. Employers in Brookfield can trust these tests for maintaining high standards of safety and compliance within their organizations.
Implementing hair follicle testing for workplaces in Brookfield, MO, ensures compliance with strict drug-free policies, offering employers peace of mind and reducing potential legal liabilities. This method supports a safe and productive work environment.
Using hair tests helps employers maintain rigorous standards and avoids the pitfalls associated with more suspect testing methods. This comprehensive approach not only aligns with workplace policies but also contributes to a more harmonious working environment.
