Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
In recent times, hair testing has emerged as a highly effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair is capable of offering an extended history of substance usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers as the hair strand develops. When taken near the scalp, hair can cover a detection period of up to around three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to manipulate, and straightforward to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is perfect for both screening and confirmation purposes. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, or exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, the same amount of body hair can be utilized. 'Head hair' specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' encompasses all other types such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The processing of a drug test result in a lab involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step, where a sample is integrated into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody process.
Screening entails a preliminary, swift check for drugs of abuse. While this step is a cost-efficient means of excluding drug usage for most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples with a positive indication in Screening must undergo a secondary validation.
In cases of presumptive positives during Screening, further hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), which is why hair drug screening is notably challenging to perform.
The Confirmation stage for positive Screening outcomes is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positives are cleaned prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle itself beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Savage, MT, hair testing emerges as a clear winner due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. With a much longer detection window and resistance to tampering, it provides a more comprehensive analysis than urine testing.
In Savage, MT, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window that spans up to 90 days. This method provides employers a thorough review of an individual's drug use history, showcasing the ability to detect substances over a more extended period compared to other tests.
The hair follicle test is a tamper-resistant solution in Savage, MT, significantly minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. This method ensures that the results are trustworthy and secure, setting a high standard for reliability in drug testing processes.
Our testing centers in Savage, MT and nationwide provide convenient access to hair follicle testing. This network ensures that individuals and employers can easily and efficiently utilize our services, promoting a hassle-free testing experience across various locations.
In Savage, MT, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and secure. From ordering to receiving results, each step prioritizes privacy and ease, addressing any concerns individuals may have about maintaining confidentiality and accessing results seamlessly.
With competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Savage, MT offer affordability without compromising on quality. We ensure quick and cost-effective solutions, providing excellent value for companies of all sizes.
Hair follicle drug testing in Savage, MT stands out for its ability to quickly produce results with precision. This method offers unmatched accuracy, making it a reliable choice for substance detection. It not only ensures rapid processing but also delivers consistent and dependable outcomes that reinforce trust in testing efficacy.
Employers in Savage, MT gain compliance and peace of mind by utilizing hair follicle testing. This method not only helps uphold workplace drug-free policies but also reduces legal liabilities, ensuring a safe and compliant work environment for all.
