Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair follicle testing is increasingly recognized as a crucial method for determining drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a lengthy record of alcohol and drug usage by entrapping biomarkers within the hair fiber as it grows. If collected near the root, hair can offer a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and drug use. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising around 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil), taken closest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, the preferred sample quantity for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We advocate for using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. If hair on the scalp is not available, an equal quantity of body hair may be gathered. When we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair pertains to all other hair varieties (like facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The main steps in processing a drug test in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial handling of a sample into a lab’s protocol. This involves ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary check for illicit drugs. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use on most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be accepted in legal scenarios. Any samples showing probable positivity during Screening require a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample come back as likely positive during Screening, additional hair is drawn from the original sample and set up for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a lesser concentration compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug screening a challenging methodology to execute.
Verification of any positive screening outcome is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples that show a preliminary positive result are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing: In Old Monroe, MO, hair testing provides enhanced benefits over traditional urine tests. The hair test's extended detection period and higher accuracy make it superior for reliable results.
Advantages Over Urine Testing: Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy, longevity, and reliability, making it preferable for employers and professionals keen on ensuring policy adherence.
Extended Detection Window in Old Monroe, MO: Hair follicle testing provides an extensive detection window, identifying substance use over a period of up to 90 days.
Comprehensive View for Employers: This test offers employers a more detailed view of an individual's substance history, vital for informed decision-making.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method: In Old Monroe, MO, hair follicle tests significantly reduce the risk of sample adulteration. They offer reliable, unquestionable outcomes.
Secure Testing Process: This method ensures sample integrity, safeguarding against modifications and guaranteeing dependable results.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations: In Old Monroe, MO, enjoy seamless access to testing services through our widespread testing centers.
Local Accessibility: Testing in local and nationwide centers ensures quick and straightforward access, making the process hassle-free.
Simple, Confidential Process: In Old Monroe, MO, the procedure for ordering, undergoing, and obtaining test results is straightforward and private.
Confidentiality Assured: Our streamlined process keeps privacy concerns at bay, offering ease of use with full confidentiality.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround: Old Monroe, MO, experiences competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, delivering excellent value.
Value for All Business Sizes: Our pricing structures and rapid results provide peace of mind and affordability for companies of various scales.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results: In Old Monroe, MO, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its precision. It delivers swift and accurate results, identifying substance use with high reliability.
Why Choose Hair Testing? The advanced detection technology used in hair follicle tests ensures accurate substance detection, setting a benchmark for reliability and quick turnaround.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers: Employers in Old Monroe, MO, can achieve policy compliance through hair follicle testing, minimizing legal risks and improving workplace safety.
Enhancing Workplace Security: By employing hair testing, businesses can assure adherence to drug-free workplace standards, fostering a secure work environment.
