Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those beyond 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of the sample. It is recommended to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, it exclusively pertains to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test outcome includes four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step of integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This step verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any additional information not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary assessment for the presence of drugs. While it is a cost-saving method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result in the screen requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptively positive samples in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
Should a sample show a preliminary positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging techniques to conduct.
Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo washing before confirmation if needed. Every step of the laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets accreditation standards of ISO / IEC 17025.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often referred to as "hair follicle tests", in reality, the test examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle under the scalp.
In Festus, MO, the advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests are prominent. With superior detection accuracy, hair testing identifies longer substance use histories, ensuring more reliable results.
Hair follicle testing eliminates the guesswork associated with typical urine tests by providing a more definitive picture of an individual's drug use, enhancing judicial, employment, and rehabilitation decisions.
In Festus, MO, hair follicle testing excels due to its extended detection window, offering insights into drug use for up to 90 days. This longer timeframe allows employers to get a comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee's substance use history.
With this extensive detection capability, decisions regarding employment and compliance become more informed and reliable.
Festus, MO utilizes hair follicle tests known for their tamper-resistant nature. By greatly reducing the risk of sample adulteration, these tests ensure reliable and unquestionable results.
This method represents an uncompromising standard in drug testing, minimizing any chances of sample manipulation, leading to unimpeachable trustworthiness in results.
With a network of testing centers nationwide and in Festus, MO, the convenience of accessing drug testing has never been easier. This broad coverage ensures locals and clients nationwide experience a quick, easy, and hassle-free service.
Our strategic locations offer immediate service access, eliminating needless obstacles and providing a seamless testing experience.
The process of conducting hair follicle testing in Festus, MO is simple and confidential. Clients benefit from straightforward ordering, taking the tests, and receiving results, all while ensuring their privacy.
This transparent process ensures ease of use and confidentiality, addressing any concerns about privacy and security during the testing procedure.
Festus, MO offers competitive pricing structures with hair follicle testing, providing affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. This combination assures businesses of all sizes an excellent value for their investment.
By maintaining competitive pricing and swift report generation, employers can receive efficient services while maximizing their budgetary resources.
Hair follicle drug tests in Festus, MO offer fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes. These tests come with the precision needed to identify substance use efficiently, ensuring that results are consistently dependable and timely.
These tests not only establish a secure method of providing results but also fast-track the testing process, ensuring outcomes are delivered without avoidable delays.
Employers in Festus, MO can enjoy peace of mind with hair follicle testing by staying compliant with drug-free workplace policies. This testing significantly reduces legal risks, enhancing overall workplace safety.
By adopting this method, companies safeguard themselves from legal disputes and cultivate a healthier, drug-free workplace environment.
