Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has evolved into an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, moderately hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is absent, a similar amount of body hair can be gathered. When we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair denotes all other hair kinds (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial entry of a sample into a lab's system. This includes confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data input not provided by an electronic custody chain.
Screening conducts an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical means to eliminate drug presence in the majority of samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening need a further confirmation.
If a sample shows a tentative positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening presents the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed 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 as "hair follicle tests", the assay itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle underneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing in Saint Bernard, NE stands out against urine tests for its superior detection capabilities. While urine tests can only detect recent drug usage, hair tests cover consumption over a 90-day period, offering unmatched reliability. They are particularly effective for workplaces with stringent drug-free policies, ensuring rigorous adherence and truthful results.
In Saint Bernard, NE, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This comprehensive timeframe captures long-term drug use patterns, offering employers or courts a complete look into an individual's substance history. The extended period is invaluable for evaluating lasting behavioral trends rather than short-term changes.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Saint Bernard, NE significantly reduces the risk of result falsification. Hair samples are difficult to adulterate due to the observable collection process, providing employers and legal entities with data they can trust. This robust integrity makes hair testing a preferred choice for accurate, unbiased results.
With convenient nationwide and local testing centers in Saint Bernard, NE, accessing hair follicle testing is quick and hassle-free. Our extensive network ensures immediate availability of testing services within any city, allowing you to schedule tests effortlessly. The widespread location coverage prioritizes user convenience and accessibility.
In Saint Bernard, NE, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Clients can order, take, and receive results with ease while ensuring privacy. The streamlined approach minimizes burden, making it a user-friendly experience that emphasizes security and confidentiality of personal data.
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Saint Bernard, NE, our hair testing services provide excellent value. With competitive rates and quick results, companies of any size can confidently rely on this service for efficient and budget-conscious drug testing solutions, ensuring high quality meets affordability.
In Saint Bernard, NE, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are highly precise in detecting substance use, offering same-day testing and results within days. Accuracy rates are exceptionally high, ensuring confidence in findings. Hair tests effectively identify a wide range of substances, making them a superior choice for reliable screening.
Employers in Saint Bernard, NE can enjoy compliance and peace of mind by opting for hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks. It promotes a safe, compliant work environment, assuring management that employees uphold company standards for a drug-free workplace.