Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair evaluation has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a chronicle of alcohol and substance usage by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When hair is gathered close to the scalp, it can offer a detection timeframe of up to nearly 3 months for substances and alcohol. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A hair sample that measures 1.5 inches and consists of around 200 strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing and validation. For EtG, additional services, and/or assessments with over 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of the sample. It is suggested to weigh the hair using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair includes other varieties of hair (like facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary phases in the lab handling of a drug testing result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning deals with the preliminary handling of a sample in a lab system. This entails assuring the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any extra data input not given by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary check for substance misuse. Screening is an economical approach to discard drug usage in most samples, but a screened positive result must be verified for court credibility. Every sample with a presumptive positive outcome in Screening undergoes a secondary validation.
If presumptive positivity is found during the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. During Extraction, substances are drawn from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a more challenging methodology.
Validation of any positive screen result is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, as needed. The whole lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is monitored under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle tests are superior to traditional urine tests for several reasons. In Walpole, NH, these tests assure greater accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair testing can reveal extensive substance usage history. This ensures that employers have a fuller picture of an individual's drug use, surpassing what urine tests can provide.
Moreover, with their broad detection spectrum, these tests stand out in accuracy and defeat common urine test pitfalls.
In Walpole, NH, hair follicle testing boasts an extended detection window, spanning up to 90 days. This duration surpasses traditional methods such as urine tests, which can only detect recent drug use. Employers benefit from this comprehensive view, as it paints a detailed picture of an individual's substance history.
This extended window of detection is especially beneficial for assessing long-term patterns of use, aiding employers in making informed decisions.
Hair follicle testing in Walpole, NH, offers a tamper-resistant approach, greatly reducing the risk of sample adulteration. Unlike urine tests, hair tests are hard to alter or cheat, ensuring reliable and unquestionable results. This reliability is crucial for employers who require the utmost accuracy and integrity in testing.
By using this advanced method, organizations can confidently face fewer challenges regarding test tampering and integrity concerns.
Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenient access to hair testing facilities both nationwide and locally in Walpole, NH. Having numerous testing centers allows for quick and easy access, providing seamless processes without hassle.
These centers deliver a stress-free testing experience for everyone involved.
In Walpole, NH, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Ordering tests, taking samples, and receiving results are streamlined to protect privacy concerns. Clients can rest assured that their information is handled discreetly, fostering a sense of trust and confidentiality.
This seamless process ensures ease of use, allowing users to benefit from the fast and secure testing protocols we provide.
Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Walpole, NH, highlight the affordability and efficiency of hair follicle testing. Documented as cost-effective and time-efficient , our services ensure excellent value across varying company sizes.
Combining affordability with reliability, clients receive premium services without compromising quality.
This affordability fosters peace of mind, empowering companies to focus on other critical business areas.
In Walpole, NH, hair follicle drug testing offers fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are renowned for their precision in identifying substance use, ensuring that results are both swift and dependable. The accuracy of these tests is not only profound but also significantly sharpens the detection of various substances.
Employing such methods allows testing facilities to deliver outcomes that are credible and prompt, fostering trust for all users.
Hair follicle testing provides compliance and peace of mind for employers in Walpole, NH. By incorporating this method, workplaces can adhere to drug-free policies, reducing legal risks while enhancing safety. Employers can trust that employees are respecting company drug policies, thus cultivating a secure work environment.
This approach offers the assurance crucial for maintaining workplace ethics and integrity, reinforcing the confidence in every employment decision made.
