Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis serves as a robust method for identifying the usage of drugs and alcohol, offering an extended historical record by capturing biomarkers in the fibers of growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, it can provide a detection window of up to three months for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands, roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil, closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is suggested. We advise measuring the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" pertains specifically to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary procedure for integrating a sample into the laboratory's system. This step includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary assessment for the presence of drugs of abuse. While it’s a cost-efficient strategy to rule out drug use for most samples, a positive result in Screening needs confirmation for court acceptance. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening require further confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial collection and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are obtained from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing one of the most complex methods to execute.
Positive screening results undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though frequently called "hair follicle tests," the testing process examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Western, NE. Hair follicle tests offer an edge over traditional urine tests by demonstrating superior detection accuracy and reliability. The extended detection window of up to 90 days provides a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use, unlike urine tests that are limited to a short detection period. Moreover, hair testing minimizes the chances of tampering and delivers results that are critical for ensuring compliance with drug-free policies.
Extended Detection Window in Western, NE explains how hair follicle testing captures drug usage over an extended period, offering a thorough assessment of an individual's substance history. Spanning up to 90 days, this window provides employers with a detailed insight into an applicant or employee's lifestyle choices. Unlike other testing methods, which may only capture recent use, hair testing serves as a comprehensive tool in understanding long-term behaviors, crucial for critical employment decisions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Western, NE illustrates how hair follicle tests drastically diminish the likelihood of sample adulteration, thus delivering reliable and unquestioned results. The hair testing process involves direct observation during sample collection, ensuring authenticity and integrity, hence eliminating typical cheating methods seen in other testing formats. This credible result is quintessential for maintaining confidence in required drug testing protocols.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Western, NE emphasize the ease and accessibility brought by our comprehensive network of testing centers. Regardless of location, quick and hassle-free access to testing services is assured, illustrating a commitment to providing efficient and time-saving solutions. This nationwide reach guarantees that individuals and companies can rely on consistently excellent service and broad availability.
Simple, Confidential Process in Western, NE clarifies that the approach to ordering, undertaking, and obtaining results is designed to protect privacy and ensure ease of use. The streamlined procedures maintain confidentiality at every step, allowing individuals and organizations to engage in necessary screenings without concerns over security breaches, thereby enhancing trust and comfort in handling sensitive personal and company data.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Western, NE reiterates our commitment to delivering exceptional value through competitive pricing and rapid response times. Catering to businesses of varied sizes, this approach ensures access to premium testing services without financial strain. The swift turnaround amplifies customer satisfaction by meeting urgent testing requirements effectively, offering cost-effective solutions for drug screening needs.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Western, NE underscore the dependable precision of hair follicle drug tests. These tests have gained prominence for their ability to provide highly accurate results quickly. The method's speed and efficiency make it a preferred choice for detecting substance use with minimal delay, providing peace of mind for individuals and organizations seeking reliable outcomes. Ensuring effective detection with consistency, hair testing is pivotal in confirming substance use with confidence.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Western, NE highlights how using hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug policies, reducing legal risks, and promoting a safer work environment. By opting for this advanced testing method, employers not only amplify their drug compliance measures but also boost overall workplace safety and employee well-being, building a conducive and productive organizational culture.