Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers in the strands' fibers. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal approximately a 3-month timeframe of alcohol and drug usage. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and convenient for shipping.
Obtaining a 1.5-inch length of roughly 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and examinations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. Head hair strictly refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The four core phases in processing a lab drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample within a lab's system. This step ensures proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening includes an initial rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient method to negate drug use in most samples, courts require confirmation for any positive screen. Therefore, all samples indicated as presumptively positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
In cases where a sample preliminarily tests positive during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. At this juncture, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring hair drug screening's complexity.
Positive Screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", these tests examine the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Hazelwood, MO, hair follicle tests outperform urine tests in several ways. Their superior detection accuracy and extended detection window offer an advantage for employers seeking comprehensive insights into drug use.
With a detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Hazelwood, MO, provides an expansive overview of an individual's substance use history. This extended period allows employers to make more informed decisions.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Hazelwood, MO, greatly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. This test is immensely difficult to manipulate, ensuring results are genuinely reflective of a user's drug history.
With convenient locations in Hazelwood, MO, and nationwide, accessing hair follicle testing is hassle-free. Our testing centers ensure quick and easy test access regardless of where you are.
Hair follicle testing in Hazelwood, MO, ensures a simple, confidential process for various testing needs. Each step, from ordering to receiving results, respects privacy concerns.
Our hair follicle testing services in Hazelwood, MO, offer affordable pricing and quick turnaround. We maintain competitive rates while delivering prompt results.
Hair follicle testing in Hazelwood, MO, offers fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method is renowned for its precision in detecting substance use, providing high accuracy levels that surpass traditional tests.
For employers in Hazelwood, MO, ensuring compliance and peace of mind comes easy with hair follicle testing. This method upholds workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and fostering safety.
