Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair serves as a chronic record of alcohol and drug presence by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of hair during its growth. When hair is clipped close to the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol consumption over a period of up to roughly three months. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprised of about 200 strands (approximating the thickness of a #2 pencil) and closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the hair. If scalp hair is unavailable, collecting an equivalent quantity of body hair is an option. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The drug testing process in a laboratory primarily involves Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is incorporated into the lab's framework. This step involves checking that the sample was accurately sealed and sent, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial swift assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening serves as an economical means to rule out drug presence in most samples, a confirmed positive result is necessary for legal admissibility. Samples that show preliminary positive results in Screening need further confirmation.
When a sample tests preliminarily positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. At this stage, drugs are isolated from the hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is notably more challenging.
Confirmation of any positive Screening findings is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prepared samples that are preliminarily positive undergo washing as necessary before confirmation. The comprehensive lab procedure, from Accessioning through Confirmation, adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests in Wisner, NE. It boasts superior detection accuracy, capturing a broader spectrum of drug use history. Unlike urine tests, which are limited to short-term detection, hair tests provide an extended assessment period, offering employers and authorities a more reliable measure of an individual's substance habits.
Employers in Wisner, NE benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle testing, which reveals drug use over a span of up to 90 days. This lengthy period provides a comprehensive overview of an individual’s substance use history, assisting employers in making informed decisions about potential or current employees based on their substance habits.
In Wisner, NE, hair follicle testing stands out for its tamper-resistant nature. The method significantly reduces the likelihood of sample adulteration, ensuring trustworthy and indisputable results. With hair testing, the integrity of the sample remains intact, providing users with confidence in the accuracy and reliability of the test outcomes.
With convenient testing locations nationwide, including local sites in Wisner, NE, accessing hair follicle tests is swift and hassle-free. Our strategically located centers ensure individuals and employers can easily and quickly reach a testing site, facilitating the drug testing process without inconvenience or delay.
The process of hair follicle testing in Wisner, NE is both simple and confidential, addressing privacy and ease of use. From ordering to receiving results, the process is straightforward, maintaining the confidentiality and comfort of individuals while ensuring accurate and discrete test outcomes.
Wisner, NE companies benefit from affordable pricing and fast turnaround times with hair follicle testing. Competitive pricing structures ensure excellent value, while swift processing secures results promptly, offering peace of mind and quality assurance for businesses of all sizes.
In Wisner, NE, the precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests set them apart. These tests deliver fast and accurate detection of substance use, providing results that are both reliable and timely. Their quick processing time makes them a preferred choice for those requiring swift and certain outcomes, ensuring a high degree of accuracy in identifying substance presence in the system.
Employers in Wisner, NE achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This method supports the enforcement of workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks and enhancing overall safety. By relying on hair tests, companies can uphold stringent standards and ensure a secure working environment for all employees.
