Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When acquired close to the scalp, hair can present a detection window of around 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion involving around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. We advise using a jeweler's scale to weigh the hair sample. Should scalp hair be unobtainable, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, we strictly mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in processing a drug test outcome in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the sample's preliminary processing within the laboratory’s framework. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles any additional data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts a preliminary examination for drug abuse. Although Screening efficiently excludes drug use in most samples, any positive findings need confirmation for legal acceptance. Samples that showcase a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample shows presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug testing is notably challenging.
Confirmation of a positive screening result is accomplished via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests," the examination studies the hair strand, not the scalp-embedded follicle.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lakeside, MO - Hair testing is advantageous over traditional urine tests due to its extended detection accuracy and reliability. This method gives employers a more comprehensive view of an individual's drug history.
Extended Detection Window in Lakeside, MO - Hair follicle testing offers a detectable window of up to 90 days, allowing employers to gain a fuller understanding of an employee's or applicant's substance use history compared to other methods.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lakeside, MO - Hair tests significantly reduce risks of sample tampering. This method offers reliable and unquestionable results by minimizing opportunities for sample adulteration.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lakeside, MO - Our network of testing centers provides quick and hassle-free access to testing services, offering convenience on a national scale with local availability.
Simple, Confidential Process in Lakeside, MO - The process for ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and respects privacy, ensuring users experience ease of use and peace of mind.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lakeside, MO - We offer competitive pricing structures and quick turnaround times, providing excellent value and peace of mind for businesses of all sizes.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lakeside, MO - Hair follicle drug tests offer superior precision and speed in detecting substance use. They provide high accuracy, ensuring reliable results that enable informed decision-making.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lakeside, MO - By using hair follicle testing, employers can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thereby reducing legal risks and promoting a safer environment.
