Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now regarded as a valuable method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. The hair strand’s growing fibers capture biomarkers, offering a prolonged record of drug and alcohol usage. When gathered near the scalp, hair reveals evidence of substance consumption over roughly a three-month period. The collection process is straightforward, the sample is somewhat resistant to tampering, and it can be shipped with ease.
An ideal specimen for screening and confirmation is 1.5 inches long, consisting of about 200 strands (similar to a #2 pencil's thickness), providing 100mg of hair. For EtG analysis, additional tests, or testing beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. It's advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent weight of body hair is an acceptable alternative. The term scalp hair refers specifically to hair on the head, while body hair encompasses other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The core steps in the lab handling of a drug test result involve Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample undergoes preliminary processing into the lab's database. This step ensures the sample's seal and shipment were intact, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and adds any missing data not available in the electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary check for substance abuse. Although cost-effective for most samples to eliminate drug usage, a positive result at this stage necessitates further validation for legal acceptability. Samples suspected as positive in Screening undergo additional confirmation.
Specimens presumed positive during Screening have more hair extracted from the original sample and are readied for Extraction. This phase isolates drugs from hair at considerably lower levels than methods like urine or oral fluid tests, explaining why hair drug screening is the most challenging form of testing.
Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is achieved using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation, as required. This end-to-end lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation holds evaluations under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle test" is often used, yet it evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle located beneath the scalp.
When considering drug testing in Rancocas Woods, NJ, hair follicle tests stand out compared to traditional urine exams. Their superior detection accuracy ensures reliable outcomes. While urine tests may sometimes fail, hair screenings consistently provide trustworthy results, strengthening workplace policies and enhancing substance use detection efforts.
Hair follicle testing offers a considerable advantage in Rancocas Woods, NJ, with its extended detection window. This method can reveal drug use over a timeline of up to 90 days, supplying employers with thorough insights into an individual's substance use history. This long-term overview is valuable for making informed employment-related decisions.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Rancocas Woods, NJ, significantly diminishes the risk of sample manipulation. The robust testing protocol ensures unaltered, credible results, safeguarding against any attempts to compromise the integrity of the drug screening results.
With convenient testing locations nationwide and within Rancocas Woods, NJ, our clients are assured of prompt and efficient access to hair follicle drug tests. This widespread availability minimizes delays and simplifies the testing process, thereby meeting the immediate needs of both local and distant clientele.
In Rancocas Woods, NJ, our process for ordering and completing hair follicle tests is both simple and confidential. We prioritize user privacy and ease of use, ensuring that all aspects—from scheduling to receiving results—are handled discreetly and efficiently.
In Rancocas Woods, NJ, we offer affordable pricing and rapid turnaround for hair follicle drug tests. Our competitive rates and speedy processing provide outstanding value, making us a preferred choice for businesses seeking cost-effective and quick solutions for drug testing needs.
In Rancocas Woods, NJ, the efficiency of hair follicle drug testing lies in its quick and precise results. Its high level of accuracy in identifying substance use makes it an excellent choice for individuals and employers. The process, designed to offer both speed and reliability, ensures minimal waiting times, making it especially advantageous for urgent testing needs.
For Rancocas Woods, NJ businesses, integrating hair follicle testing into their procedures ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This robust approach helps mitigate legal liabilities and enhances the overall safety of the work environment, offering peace of mind to employers committed to maintaining high standards.
