Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures biomarkers within its fibers as it grows, offering an extensive record of alcohol and other substances over time. When taken near the scalp, hair can provide a detection timeframe of roughly three months for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands, similar in size to a #2 pencil, near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panel tests exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. References to head hair solely signify scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary stage of integrating a sample into a laboratory's framework. This incorporates verifying that the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, attributing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach to dismiss drug usage on most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be legally credible. Samples presumed positive in Screening mandate a secondary validation.
Should a sample reflect positively in the Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. At this stage, substances are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening the most complex methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screen result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens undergo washing prior to confirmation when necessary. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards compliance.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though referred to as "hair follicle tests", the actual test analyzes the hair strand, not the scalp-embedded follicle.
In Lake Lafayette, MO, hair follicle testing significantly enhances drug detection accuracy compared to urine testing. The benefits of hair tests include a superior detection period and reliability in preventing manipulation. They provide a more thorough examination, offering a clearer picture of an individual's substance use history than traditional methods like urine tests.
Hair follicle testing excels in Lake Lafayette, MO, by detecting drug use over an extended duration, frequently up to 90 days. This prolonged detection window equipped employers with a comprehensive substance history of applicants or employees, ensuring informed decisions are made regarding workplace safety and reliability.
Hair follicle tests in Lake Lafayette, MO, notably minimize the chances of sample tampering. These tests are designed to be tamper-resistant, ensuring results remain reliable and indisputable.
By using hair samples, the risk of sample manipulation and adulteration is greatly reduced, providing confidence in the accuracy and integrity of testing outcomes.
With convenient locations nationwide, our Lake Lafayette, MO, testing centers make accessing hair follicle drug testing services simple and straightforward. We prioritize client convenience, ensuring quick and hassle-free access to essential testing services across various regions, whether local or nationwide.
We offer a straightforward and confidential process in Lake Lafayette, MO, from ordering to receiving results. Hair follicle testing is designed to protect privacy while ensuring ease of use, catering to clients who place value on confidentiality and simplicity in their testing experiences.
In Lake Lafayette, MO, we offer competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle drug testing. By providing value and efficiency, we ensure businesses of all sizes receive cost-effective and timely testing solutions, maintaining high service standards to meet diverse client needs effectively.
The precision and efficiency of hair follicle drug tests in Lake Lafayette, MO, offer unmatched reliability. With advances in testing technology, results are processed swiftly, maintaining high standards of accuracy in identifying substance use.
Clients benefit from fast, reliable outcomes that inform their decision-making processes, ensuring results are trustworthy and prompt.
Employers in Lake Lafayette, MO, gain peace of mind by using hair follicle testing, as it ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. By minimizing legal uncertainties and enhancing overall safety, it provides confidence that the workforce aligns with company standards and regulatory requirements, protecting the employer's interests and reputation.
