Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is renowned as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It captures a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers. When hair is cut close to the scalp, it offers up to a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other substances. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is convenient.
A 1.5-inch snippet comprising roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, serving as an optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair may suffice. Head hair specifically implies scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for drug test results encompasses four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning incorporates the preliminary processing of a specimen into a laboratory's framework. This stage ensures the specimen is sealed and dispatched correctly, a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is assigned, and any missing data entry from an electronic chain of custody system is completed.
Screening conducts an initial rapid evaluation for substance abuse. Although cost-effective for excluding drug presence in most specimens, a positive Screening necessitates confirmation for legal credibility. Presumptively positive samples require secondary validation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening stands as a complex method.
To confirm any positive Screening outcomes, methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used. Any presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as deemed necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often mislabeled as "hair follicle tests," these tests actually analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Volt, MT, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine methods with superior detection accuracy. A longer detection period ensures comprehensive assessments.
Hair follicle testing in Volt, MT, offers an extended window of drug detection, uncovering substance use up to 90 days prior, giving employers a detailed perspective on a candidate's history.
Such comprehensive detection enables more informed employment decisions due to a clearer understanding of an individual's habits.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Volt, MT, drastically minimizes sample adulteration risks, offering solid assurance of the validity of test results.
With vast nationwide testing centers, including those in Volt, MT, Accredited Drug Testing facilitates quick, effortless access to drug screening services, enhancing the convenience of testing processes.
Accredited Drug Testing in Volt, MT, offers a straightforward, private process for test orders, sample collection, and results delivery, prioritizing confidentiality and user ease.
The seamless approach guarantees security and simplicity, addressing any potential privacy concerns of participants.
Competitive pricing and swift result turnover at Accredited Drug Testing in Volt, MT, offer good value for businesses of all sizes, combining affordability with peace of mind.
The balance of cost-effectiveness and rapid service ensures budget-friendly solutions without sacrificing efficacy.
The precision and efficiency of hair follicle tests in Volt, MT, set them apart in drug detection. Processed rapidly, these tests offer high accuracy in substance use identification.
Employers seeking reliable results find hair follicle tests indispensable due to their swift and accurate detection capabilities, ensuring timely decision-making.
Employers in Volt, MT, benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring adherence to workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal liabilities and enhancing workplace security.
This compliance not only reduces risks but also contributes to an atmosphere of safety and peace of mind within the organization.
