Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method to identify drug and alcohol use. Hair provides a lengthy record of substance intake by locking in biomarkers within the fibers of the emerging hair strand. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to an estimated 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is easy, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.
A 1.5-inch portion of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It's suggested to measure the hair sample using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. The term head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial handling of a sample within a lab's system. This process verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While cost-effective in excluding drug use for most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal validity. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening need additional confirmation.
If a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are isolated from hair at much lower levels than with other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), contributing to the high complexity of hair drug screening.
The Confirmation step for any positive screen is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples with presumptive positivity are cleansed before confirmation as required. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criterion and accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Smithville, MO offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. Its superior detection accuracy provides undeniable reliability, making it ideal for environments requiring strict substance use policies.
Compared to urine tests, hair follicle tests deliver a more comprehensive detection timeline. The increased precision and difficulty of evasion make it a robust choice for testing in Smithville.
With a detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Smithville, MO offers an extensive view of an individual's substance use history. This helps employers make informed decisions about potential hires.
Employers in Smithville benefit from hair follicle tests as they provide a broader perspective beyond the limitations of traditional test windows, ensuring a thorough review of substance use history.
Hair follicle testing in Smithville, MO greatly reduces the risk of sample tampering. Its methodology and strict collection process ensure results remain untampered and provide trustworthy outcomes.
The inherent tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests makes it an ideal choice for those in Smithville seeking reliable and verifiable drug screening results.
Smithville, MO residents benefit from convenient access to testing services with nationwide locations. This ensures quick and hassle-free procedures, guaranteeing minimal disruption to daily routines.
With centers across the country, obtaining a hair follicle test is seamless for Smithville clients, ensuring expedient service and support.
In Smithville, MO, the process for hair follicle testing is as simple as it is confidential. Clients can easily order, take the test, and receive results while enjoying the assurance of full privacy.
The straightforward methodology in Smithville allows individuals to maintain their privacy without sacrificing the ease or effectiveness of testing.
Smithville, MO offers affordable hair follicle testing with competitive pricing models, ensuring swift turnaround times for businesses of all sizes, maximizing both value and assurance.
With reasonable pricing and quick results, hair follicle testing in Smithville proves to be both budget-friendly and effective, accommodating the needs of various organizations.
In Smithville, MO, the hair follicle test stands out with its fast and precise results. The high accuracy ensures substance use is detected effectively, providing reliable insights and aiding prompt decisions.
The efficiency of hair follicle testing means that individuals and organizations in Smithville receive dependable results quickly, aiding in time-sensitive decisions without compromising accuracy.
For employers in Smithville, MO, hair follicle testing guarantees compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It minimizes legal risks and enhances safety by providing solid evidence of compliance.
Businesses utilizing hair tests experience peace of mind, knowing their drug-free policies are upheld through a reliable and consistent testing method.
