Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as a robust technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When gathered close to the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a 3-month history of alcohol and drug usage. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to mail.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair can't be collected, an equivalent amount of body hair might be used. When discussing head hair, it exclusively refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary steps involved in lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This step includes confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and delivered, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary rapid evaluation for abusive drugs. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be permissible in court. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If a sample is provisionally positive in the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and made ready for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are separated from hair at a considerably lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is the most complex method to execute.
Affirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentatively positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if needed. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review 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: Despite being frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Silver Creek, MO, hair follicle tests are proving their superiority over traditional urine tests. Advantages like longer detection windows and reduced chances of result tampering highlight hair tests as more reliable and accurate.
For employers enforcing drug-free policies, hair testing's sophisticated technology offers clear benefits over urine tests, with its ability to pinpoint substance use with greater precision.
Employers in Silver Creek, MO, find hair follicle testing invaluable for its extended detection window, spanning up to 90 days. This comprehensive period offers a clearer picture of an individual's substance history.
With its long-term detection advantages, hair testing is adept at revealing recurrent drug use patterns, ensuring a more reliable assessment of an employee's or candidate's history.
Concerns over sample adulteration are significantly reduced with hair follicle tests in Silver Creek, MO. Tamper-resistance is a key feature that provides stakeholders with complete confidence in the results.
By employing hard-to-tamper methodologies, hair tests yield reliable outcomes, making sure the examination remains unchallenged and secure.
Access to testing services is seamless in Silver Creek, MO, thanks to our extensive network of testing centers. Nationwide and local availability ensures quick and easy access to hair follicle drug testing services.
This convenience means no hassle for those needing tests, with a reliable system ensuring testing is straightforward and accessible.
In Silver Creek, MO, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential, addressing any potential concerns for individuals seeking these services.
The process from ordering to receiving results is efficient and private, ensuring an easy and stress-free experience for all involved.
Our Silver Creek, MO, testing services promise affordable pricing structures paired with rapid turnaround times, offering an attractive option for businesses.
The balance of cost-effectiveness and speed means that companies can rely on quality service without burdening their budget, maintaining a high value for all.
The efficiency of hair follicle drug tests is unmatched for those in Silver Creek, MO. Precision in substance detection is a hallmark of these tests. Their speed in delivering results, combined with their reliability, makes them a superior choice for many.
Fast and Accurate, hair follicle tests assure that individuals are evaluated fairly and on time, without unnecessary delays, providing much-needed reassurance in the testing process.
For Silver Creek, MO employers, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free policies, offering a compliance solution that mitigates legal risks and promotes workplace safety.
The enhanced reliability and extended detection window of hair tests provide employers with peace of mind, confidently maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.
