Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has garnered recognition as a robust means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended historical profile of alcohol and other substances by locking in biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer an estimated 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively tamper-resistant, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, representing the perfect quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest verifying the specimen weight using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair might be collected. When mentioning head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab procedures for processing a drug test outcome consist of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab’s infrastructure. This involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry not furnished by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for illicit substances. While Screening offers an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screening necessitates confirmation for court acceptance. Any samples presumed positive in Screening must proceed to a secondary confirmation.
If a sample appears presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation for any positive screen result is implemented using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", the evaluation examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why does hair follicle testing outshine urine testing in Big Sandy, MT? Compared to traditional urine tests, hair testing offers superior detection precision and reliability. This method ensures a more comprehensive overview of substance use, outmatching the limitations often associated with urine tests.
Employers in Big Sandy, MT benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle testing, spanning up to 90 days. This method gives a far-reaching perspective on an individual’s drug usage history, which is invaluable for understanding long-term patterns, unlike shorter window methods.
Hair follicle tests in Big Sandy, MT dramatically lower the chance of tampering. The secure testing method ensures authentic and unquestionable outcomes, safeguarding the integrity of the results against any sample adulteration.
Offering convenience, our numerous testing locations nationwide, including Big Sandy, MT, ensure easy access to drug testing services. With widespread centers, getting tested is a prompt and hassle-free experience, ensuring efficiency and convenience for all clients.
The hair follicle testing process in Big Sandy, MT is straightforward and confidential. Our procedure guarantees ease from ordering to obtaining results, addressing privacy concerns while ensuring a smooth testing experience.
Competitive pricing and swift turnaround times in Big Sandy, MT highlight the exceptional value of our hair follicle testing services. We cater to companies of all sizes, ensuring affordability without compromising prompt and reliable results.
In Big Sandy, MT, hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their precision and speed. The tests are acclaimed for their high accuracy in identifying substance use, offering quick and reliable results. With state-of-the-art technology, hair tests outperform many other testing methods, ensuring that the results are both prompt and dependable.
By adopting hair follicle testing in Big Sandy, MT, employers can confidently ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method not only diminishes legal risks but also reinforces a safer working environment, offering peace of mind to businesses.
