Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a formidable method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug usage by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When sourced close to the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month detection period for various substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for transporting.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplemental tests, and/or assessments surpassing 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen is suggested. Should scalp hair be unattainable, an equivalent mass of body hair may be used. When addressing head hair, we mean solely scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial and axillary).
Process Overview
The drug testing laboratory procedure comprises four fundamental steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the sample's initial submission into the laboratory’s framework. This entails confirming the sample’s proper sealing and delivery, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody protocol.
Screening acts as a preliminary swift assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening provides a cost-efficient way to eliminate drug use across most specimens, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal validation. Any samples that are tentatively positive in Screening mandate additional confirmation.
If a sample shows tentative positivity during Screening, additional hair is taken from the primary specimen for Extraction. At this juncture, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than seen in alternative techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with tentative positivity undergo washing before confirmation if required. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review through both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing outperforms urine testing for several reasons, particularly in Overland, MO. Traditional urine tests display some weaknesses in reliability and detection length, while hair testing offers an extended timeline to detect substance use, often capturing usage up to 90 days prior. Its superior accuracy and difficulty to alter make it highly beneficial for employers and professionals enforcing strict policies.
In Overland, MO, hair follicle testing serves as a method with a substantial detection window, often spanning up to 90 days. This extensive period provides employers with a significant understanding of a candidate’s or employee's substance use history. By analyzing hair, companies can make informed decisions based on a comprehensive picture of an individual's drug or alcohol usage over time.
The risk of tampering is significantly minimized with hair follicle testing compared to other methodologies. In Overland, MO, the collection and analysis of hair samples ensure that attempts at altering results are essentially null. This tamper-resistant method stands out for delivering trustworthy, indisputable results, thus maintaining high standards of accuracy and integrity.
Our broad network of testing centers makes hair follicle testing accessible and convenient in Overland, MO and across the nation. These readily reachable locations guarantee a trouble-free experience, ensuring that testing services are quickly and easily procured. Every local and national center stands equipped to deliver specialized services promptly.
In Overland, MO, the process for hair follicle testing is both straightforward and private, addressing concerns regarding ease and confidentiality. The simple act of ordering, conducting, and receiving results is handled discreetly, ensuring peace of mind throughout the process. Our systems prioritize customer privacy, securing trust with all stakeholders involved.
With competitive pricing and swift result turnaround, our hair follicle testing services in Overland, MO promise excellent value. Our business model leverages affordability with high-quality service, offering companies both small and large peace of mind and economic efficiency. This commitment assures clients of quick, reliable outcomes without compromising fiscal responsibility.
The process of hair follicle drug testing in Overland, MO, is both swift and accurate, ensuring precise results in substance detection. The enhanced accuracy of this method allows for confidence when assessing recent substance abuse. Certified testing centers employ modern techniques to guarantee precision, making it a reliable choice for individuals and organizations alike needing quick, assured results.
For employers in Overland, MO, hair follicle testing offers a way to achieve compliance with drug-free workplace policies, providing peace of mind. By reducing legal risks and promoting a safe working environment, this method helps maintain high standards of workplace safety. Employers adopting such testing ensure adherence to regulations and foster a safe, efficient workforce.
