Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a potent resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands serve as a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by trapping biomarkers within their fibers as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to approximately three months for such substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will provide 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional services, and/or testing above 10 panels, a specimen size of 150mg is advisable. We suggest determining the specimen's weight using a jeweler's scale. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, an equal volume of body hair may be utilized. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processes a drug test through four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encapsulates the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab's system. This phase involves confirming that the sample was adequately sealed and transported, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input absent from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. While cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screening outcome necessitates confirmation for legal acceptance. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening require secondary confirmation.
Should a sample show a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, further hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. In this step, drugs are withdrawn from hair at a significantly reduced concentration when compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens are washed before Confirmation if necessary. The holistic lab procedure, encompassing Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the testing evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Mills, NE: Hair testing provides superior detection accuracy over traditional urine tests. With a much longer detection window and the inability to easily tamper with samples, hair tests offer a more reliable assessment of long-term drug use. Employers and legal entities find this method especially beneficial for maintaining a safe and compliant environment.
Extended Detection Window in Mills, NE: Hair follicle testing allows for the detection of drug use over an extended period, providing a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history. Employers benefit from this method, as it can track usage for up to 90 days. The extended window surpasses the limitations of other testing forms, giving a more informed perspective on employee behavior.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Mills, NE: Hair follicle drug tests offer a tamper-resistant method of substance detection. The collection process is highly secure and significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring results that are both reliable and unquestionable. This feature is crucial for employers and agencies requiring dependable testing outcomes.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Mills, NE: Our network of nationwide testing centers guarantees quick and hassle-free testing services. Access to local facilities in Mills, NE, ensures that individuals and companies can easily meet their testing needs, streamlining the entire process and making it immensely convenient.
Simple, Confidential Process in Mills, NE: The process of ordering, taking, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is designed to be simple and confidential. We prioritize the privacy and ease of use, ensuring that all clients feel secure when undergoing testing, making the experience as stress-free as possible.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Mills, NE: Competitive pricing structures combined with quick turnaround times offer excellent value for companies of all sizes. Our hair follicle testing services provide cost-effective solutions without sacrificing quality or accuracy, ensuring customer satisfaction and peace of mind.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Mills, NE: Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and speed. These tests offer high accuracy in identifying substance use, making them an essential tool for employers and individuals seeking reliable outcomes. The quick processing time ensures prompt results, supporting timely decision-making in various contexts.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Mills, NE: Utilizing hair follicle testing aids in ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies. By reducing legal risks and enhancing safety, this method provides employers peace of mind. The assurance of maintaining a drug-free workplace is invaluable in supporting an organization's productivity and reputation.
