Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides an extended history of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the strands of hair as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can deliver up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, resist alteration, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil thickness) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for testing and validation. For EtG tests, additional panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is not present, a similar amount of body hair might be used. Head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary steps in processing a drug test result in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This process involves checking that the sample was securely sealed and shipped, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary inspection for drugs of abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result must be verified for court admissibility. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.
If a sample indicates positivity in the Screening stage, extra hair is retrieved from the primary specimen for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at a considerably lower concentration than through other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging technique to perform.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating presumptive positivity are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is surveyed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand rather than the scalp's hair follicle
The advantages of hair follicle testing over urine tests in Stewartsville, MO, are clear. Hair testing offers a more accurate detection of drugs, reducing the chances of false negatives. With its longer detection window, hair testing provides a comprehensive view of a subject’s history, making it superior for zero-tolerance workplace policies compared to urine tests.
Hair follicle testing in Stewartsville, MO, provides a remarkable extended detection window, capturing drug usage history for up to 90 days. This comprehensive perspective allows employers to gauge the long-term substance use patterns of employees or applicants, contributing to better hiring decisions and ensuring safety.
In Stewartsville, MO, hair follicle tests are highly tamper-resistant, minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. This reliable testing method assures employers and legal professionals of the integrity of the results, offering a level of accuracy that is unquestionable and trusted for making critical decisions.
Our nationwide network of testing centers offers unparalleled convenience in Stewartsville, MO. With local locations readily available, accessing quality hair follicle testing services is quick and hassle-free, ensuring you meet testing requirements efficiently without inconvenience.
In Stewartsville, MO, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. The process for scheduling, testing, and receiving results prioritizes user privacy and is designed to be straightforward, addressing any concerns about confidentiality and ease of use.
Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround in Stewartsville, MO, make hair follicle testing both cost-effective and timely. With our services, companies of all sizes can benefit from excellent value, ensuring timely and reliable results that provide peace of mind.
In Stewartsville, MO, hair follicle drug testing offers both speed and precision in detecting substance use. With unparalleled accuracy, these tests provide reliable results fast, ensuring any drug or alcohol use is effectively identified. The precision of hair follicle testing empowers businesses and legal entities to obtain reliable results for informed decision-making.
Employers in Stewartsville, MO, who utilize hair follicle testing benefit from enhanced compliance with drug-free workplace mandates. This approach not only mitigates legal risks but also fosters a safe working environment, providing peace of mind and ensuring adherence to occupational policies.
