Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means to identify the usage of drugs and alcohol. Hair chronicles a prolonged history of alcohol and drug intake by encasing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Near-scalp samples can yield a detection timeframe of up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.
An ideal 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp provides 100mg of hair for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests over 10 panels, it is advised to use 150mg of the specimen. It is advisable to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be absent, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test result laboratory processing encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary process that involves inputting the sample into the laboratory’s system. This step includes confirming that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any missing information not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a swift initial assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that test as presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If the Screening stage indicates a presumptively positive result, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to conduct.
Confirmation of any Screening-positive result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The whole laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though they are often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why opt for hair follicle tests over urine tests in Brownwood, MO? The key is in the superior detection accuracy and consistent reliability. Hair follicle testing reveals a comprehensive drug history rather than just recent use, offering a wider detection window. This advantage makes it a preferred choice, providing confidence in the results and supporting zero-tolerance policies with more assurance.
In Brownwood, MO, hair follicle testing offers a significant edge with its extended detection capabilities that can track drug use up to 90 days back. This feature ensures that employers gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history, rather than just current usage, enhancing decision-making and supporting workplace safety protocols more effectively than shorter-term tests.
The method of hair follicle testing acts as a robust deterrent against tampering. In Brownwood, MO, this testing approach minimizes the chance of adulteration, ensuring results remain trustworthy and reflective of actual substance use. The difficulty in falsifying samples makes it a secure choice for reliable testing outcomes, providing peace of mind with every result.
With convenient nationwide locations, including in Brownwood, MO, our testing centers provide easy access to drug testing services. This widespread availability allows for hassle-free scheduling and minimizes travel time, making the process streamlined and efficient for everyone, no matter where they are in the country.
Conducting hair follicle tests in Brownwood, MO, is straightforward and confidential. The process is designed to prioritize privacy and ease of use, ensuring that ordering, conducting, and receiving results is seamless. This focus on simplicity and discretion alleviates concerns, providing assurance to all parties involved.
Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Brownwood, MO, delivers great value for businesses of all sizes. The affordability coupled with efficiency ensures that companies can maintain high standards without overextending budgets, supporting smart financial strategies alongside reliable testing results.
Hair follicle testing offers not only accuracy but also speed. In Brownwood, MO, this testing method is known for its ability to detect substances with precision, making it a dependable choice for employers and other institutions. By utilizing advanced technology, it offers a fast turnaround of results without compromising accuracy, ensuring efficient management of testing requirements and timelines.
In ensuring compliance and peace of mind for employers in Brownwood, MO, hair follicle testing is an invaluable tool. Adhering to workplace drug-free policies is critical, and the accuracy of hair testing significantly reduces the risks of violations. It promotes a safer, more controlled environment, mitigating legal concerns while upholding high safety standards.
