Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended record of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to approximately three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch piece consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for screening and verification. For ensuring accuracy in EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair not be available, a comparable quantity of body hair might be utilized. Reference to head hair pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the preliminary processing of a sample within a lab's system. This stage ensures the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional manual entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening facilitates a preliminary swift evaluation for substances of abuse. Although Screening efficiently eliminates drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be legally acceptable. Samples that show presumptive positivity during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Upon provisional positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations significantly lower than in alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.
Verification of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positive outcomes undergo washing before verification, as needed. The comprehensive process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly mislabelled as "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Berea, NE Hair follicle tests offer extensive advantages compared to traditional urine tests. They allow for a longer detection period, accurately reading past drug use compared to the shorter scope of urine tests, thus providing superior reliability in results.
Extended Detection Window in Berea, NE One compelling aspect of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, typically up to 90 days. This provides employers a thorough perspective on an individual's substance use history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Berea, NE Hair follicle testing significantly decreases the chances of sample adulteration. This testing method provides trustworthy and clear-cut results, ensuring a high degree of integrity in drug testing processes.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Berea, NE Accredited Drug Testing nationwide centers offer unparalleled convenience. With easy access, testing services become quick, straightforward, and stress-free, ensuring that individuals in Berea and across the nation can readily fulfill testing needs.
Simple, Confidential Process in Berea, NE The process of ordering, executing, and receiving hair follicle test results is both simple and confidential. This secures individuals' privacy and provides an effortless experience, guaranteeing ease and discretion.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Berea, NE With competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, these services offer remarkable value. Businesses of all scales benefit from a cost-effective solution while gaining peace of mind with prompt results.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Berea, NE Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and swiftness in detecting substance use. Known for their high accuracy rate, these tests provide quick results, ensuring users gain reliable and timely insights into potential drug use.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Berea, NE Embracing hair follicle testing helps employers adhere to drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal vulnerabilities and enhances safety standards, bringing a sense of peace and security to the workplace environment.
