Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now regarded as an effective means to identify drug and alcohol usage. Hair strands capture biomarkers within their fibers, offering an extended history of alcohol and drug consumption. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug presence for up to roughly a three-month period. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches or around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for initial testing and subsequent confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is preferred. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not present, a similar volume of body hair could be gathered. Reference to head hair specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other kinds of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves integrating a sample into a lab's system. This process ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional data entry that isn't available through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to disprove drug use for most samples, any positive screening outcome requires confirmation to be court-admissible. There is a necessity for secondary confirmation if a sample tests presumptively positive in Screening.
Upon a presumptive positive result in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. In this step, hair releases drugs at a significantly lower concentration compared to other approaches (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a challenging methodology.
Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is performed using methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation if required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the standards of ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite commonly being called "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In Hanley Hills, MO, hair follicle testing outshines urine testing with its superior ability to detect substances. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle analysis reveals usage over months, not just days. It's a vital tool for employers, providing a more thorough history. Its reliability and resilience against tampering guarantee it delivers trustworthy outcomes.
Hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage in Hanley Hills, MO, with a detection window extending up to 90 days. Employers gain a more comprehensive view of an individual’s substance history compared to shorter urine tests. This extended window allows for informed hiring decisions, contributing to a safer and more reliable workforce.
In Hanley Hills, MO, hair follicle testing ensures results are credible and dependable, reducing the possibility of tampering. Unlike urine samples that can be adulterated or substituted, hair tests are resistant to such interference. This makes them an invaluable resource in maintaining integrity in drug testing processes.
Nationwide testing centers, including those in Hanley Hills, MO, offer unparalleled convenience. Our multiple locations ensure that accessing testing services is quick, easy, and hassle-free. Whether local or remote, the availability of these services makes keeping up with drug screening requirements a streamlined process.
In Hanley Hills, MO, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Ordering, testing, and receiving results is straightforward, ensuring peace of mind. Privacy concerns are mitigated with robust security measures, providing ease of use for all involved while safeguarding sensitive information.
Competitive pricing and fast turnaround in Hanley Hills, MO, make hair follicle testing an attractive option. Businesses of all sizes benefit from cost-effective solutions that don't sacrifice quality or speed. With quick results and budget-friendly options, employers achieve peace of mind and value.
Discovering substance use quickly and accurately is essential, and hair follicle tests deliver on this front in Hanley Hills, MO. Their sophistication ensures precise results, providing a clear picture of drug use history. When timelines are tight, their efficiency shines, with results you can trust to inform critical decisions, ensuring safety and compliance.
For employers in Hanley Hills, MO, opting for hair follicle tests supports compliance with drug-free policies. The method reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety by ensuring only sober individuals are employed. It offers peace of mind, knowing that policies are enforced with trustworthy and respected testing methods.
