Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. This is because hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug ingestion by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When clipped close to the scalp, hair allows for up to a 3-month period of detection for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.
A 1.5-inch length of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the circumference of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields approximately 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, additional testing, and/or panels exceeding 10, a sample weight of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a comparable amount of body hair may be taken. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Introduction
The primary laboratory processes involved in producing a drug test result encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This process involves checking that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not handled by electronic chain of custody systems.
Screening is an initial quick assessment for drugs of abuse. This cost-effective process helps eliminate drug use in most samples, although a positive screening result must be confirmed for admissibility in legal contexts. Any samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening will necessitate a secondary confirmation.
For samples that test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging method to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is achieved through techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positives are cleansed as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Reminder: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing with traditional urine tests in Navajo, NM, the advantages of hair testing stand out. Hair samples provide superior detection accuracy and reliability, offering results that cover a more extended period. Employers benefit from using hair tests to identify potential substance abuse issues more effectively.
Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window in Navajo, NM, capturing drug use over up to 90 days. This broader timeline gives employers deeper insights into an individual's substance history, ensuring informed decision-making for positions requiring stringent drug-free policies.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Navajo, NM makes it extremely difficult to adulterate samples. This ensures that the results are reliable, reducing the chances of altered or compromised test outcomes.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations in Navajo, NM and Nationwide. Our accessible centers ensure sampling is a hassle-free process, making it simple for individuals and companies to obtain necessary testing services quickly and easily.
With a simple and confidential testing process in Navajo, NM, clients can effortlessly order, complete, and receive their results. Our process prioritizes privacy and ease, ensuring clients feel secure and informed throughout their testing experience.
At Accredited Drug Testing in Navajo, NM, we offer affordable pricing options and fast turnaround times. Our competitive pricing structures provide excellent value, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can access reliable testing without breaking the budget.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing in Navajo, NM are unmatched. Fast collection and processing ensure clients receive prompt, reliable results. This method's high accuracy in detecting substance usage makes it a trusted option for those seeking consistent and dependable outcomes.
Employers in Navajo, NM can rely on hair follicle testing for compliance and peace of mind. This testing method reinforces adherence to drug-free policies, mitigates legal risks, and strengthens workplace safety through its reliable detection capabilities.