Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now widely regarded as an effective instrument for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a chronological record of alcohol and other drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer up to nearly a 3-month detection span for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to alter, and easy to send.
A 1.5-inch collection of about 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's width) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent measure of body hair can be collected. In reference to head hair, this pertains only to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the preliminary handling of a specimen into a lab’s system. This process verifies that the specimen was sealed and dispatched appropriately, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplementary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody protocol.
Screening entails an initial rapid evaluation for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be substantiated to be court-admissible. Samples provisionally positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.
If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this stage, drug compounds are removed from hair at a decidedly lower concentration than other approaches (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, any presumptive positive samples are washed as needed. The complete lab sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the testing process examines the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Rochester, NH, unveils greater advantages over traditional urine testing. Its superior accuracy in detecting substances makes it a preferred choice for many, offering more reliable results.
Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, uncovering drug use up to 90 days back. This gives employers in Rochester, NH, a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance history.
In Rochester, NH, hair follicle tests are virtually tamper-proof, significantly minimizing the chance of adulteration. This ensures the integrity of the results remains intact and trustworthy.
Rochester, NH, benefits from our network of testing centers nationwide, making it simple to access drug testing quickly and without hassle.
Located in Rochester, NH, we provide a seamless, private hair follicle testing process. From ordering to results, confidentiality and ease are paramount, ensuring peace of mind.
Our services in Rochester, NH, boast competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, offering excellent value. This commitment makes us a trusted choice for businesses of any size.
The precision and rapid results of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched, offering highly accurate substance detection in Rochester, NH. The meticulous process ensures no detail is missed, providing reliable outcomes quickly.
Employers can strengthen their drug-free workplace policies in Rochester, NH, through hair follicle testing. This method supports compliance, minimizing legal risks and promoting a safer work environment.
