Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is regarded as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. It provides a long-lasting record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a 3-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat tamper-resistant, and convenient for transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil girth) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Usage of a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is unobtainable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. Head hair pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four principal stages in processing a drug test in a laboratory: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
The Accessioning phase entails integrating a sample into a lab’s system. It includes verifying the sample's seal and shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any additional data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient strategy for dismissing drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be court-admissible. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening will require further confirmation.
Should a sample test positive presumptively in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and processed for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at concentrations much lower than those in other testing methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted in compliance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually examines the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Picuris Pueblo, NM is due to its distinct advantages in accuracy and dependability. Hair tests surpass traditional urine tests by detecting a broader spectrum of substances over an extended timeframe, offering a higher degree of detection reliability and reducing the chance of false negatives, ensuring thorough and reliable analysis.
Extended Detection Window in Picuris Pueblo, NM is achieved through hair follicle testing, which monitors drug use over up to 90 days. This extended timespan provides employers with a broad view of an individual's substance use history, facilitating a more informed assessment of applicants or employees, thereby enhancing reliability in hiring decisions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Picuris Pueblo, NM is streamlined with hair follicle testing. This method drastically decreases risks of sample tampering, as the collection process is observed and the integrity of samples remains untouchable. This ensures results are trustworthy and difficult to dispute, maintaining reliability and credibility.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations including Local Ones in Picuris Pueblo, NM offer ease to all seeking testing services. Our extensive network of nationwide centers assures hassle-free and swift access, eliminating the stress often associated with scheduling and completing mandatory drug tests efficiently and reliably.
Simple, Confidential Process in Picuris Pueblo, NM ensures the privacy and simplicity of ordering, completing, and receiving drug test results. Concerns over confidentiality are assuaged with a streamlined approach, making the entire process user-friendly and confidential, ensuring peace of mind for all involved parties.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Picuris Pueblo, NM emphasize our competitive pricing structures and prompt result delivery. These efficiencies provide businesses, regardless of size, excellent value, and quick results, supporting the needs for timely and economically feasible drug testing solutions.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Picuris Pueblo, NM, are guaranteed with hair follicle drug tests. These tests offer unmatched precision and swift outcomes, accurately identifying substance use. The efficient testing methodologies mean quick processing, ensuring that results are both timely and dependable for making informed decisions.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Picuris Pueblo, NM is achieved by incorporating hair follicle testing into workplace policies. This test supports compliance with drug-free work environments, mitigating legal risks and bolstering safety, promoting a secure and productive workplace atmosphere for all employees.