Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair, hair unveils a long-term record of alcohol and drug use. If taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to adulterate, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising approximately 200 hairs (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is ideal for both screening and verification. For tests including EtG add-ons or those beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. Using a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample is suggested. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a matching quantity of body hair is an alternative. Reference to head hair specifically means scalp hair. All other types like facial or axillary hair are considered body hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result follows four key procedures: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the primary step where a sample is introduced into the lab system. This step involves ensuring the sample is correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) randomly, and finalizing additional data inputs not included in an electronic chain of custody.
Screening encompasses an initial examination for substances of abuse. Although a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive indication in Screening requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening need a follow-up confirmation.
For presumptively positive samples during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial batch for Extraction. Here, drug extraction from hair occurs at significantly lower concentrations compared to urine or oral fluid methods, making hair drug testing the most challenging technique available.
Confirmation of any positive screening results occurs via techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo a cleansing process prior to confirmation if necessary. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both CAP Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis concerns the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the skin.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Sheridan, MO: Hair testing offers advantages over conventional urine tests by delivering higher accuracy and reliability. It extends the detection window and reduces cheating opportunities, providing a superior alternative to traditional methods.
Extended Detection Window in Sheridan, MO: Hair follicle testing permits detection of drug use over nearly three months, allowing employers an extensive view of substance use patterns in employees, fostering safer workplaces.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Sheridan, MO: Hair follicle testing significantly lowers the risk of test adulteration. The method provides indisputable results by minimizing the chance of sample tampering, thus ensuring trustworthy outcomes.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Sheridan, MO: With numerous testing centers across the nation, access to our testing services is easy and hassle-free, providing a practical solution for your testing needs.
Simple, Confidential Process in Sheridan, MO: Our drug testing process maintains confidentiality at every stage, from ordering to result delivery, thus respecting privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Sheridan, MO: We offer competitive pricing and swift result delivery, ensuring excellent value for companies of all sizes, reinforcing both cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Sheridan, MO: Hair follicle drug tests provide rapid results, showcasing high accuracy. This testing method is exemplary in its ability to detect substances thoroughly. The quick turnaround time and precision offer considerable benefits in ensuring environments remain drug-free.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Sheridan, MO: Hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free mandates, lessening the risk of legal issues. This enhances workplace safety, granting employers confidence in their drug prevention policies.
