Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand, hair offers an extended timeline of substance use. When taken near the scalp, hair may provide nearly a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, poses challenges for tampering, and is straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and validation. For EtG, add-on tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. The use of a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample is advisable. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent portion of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab processing of a drug test result includes Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation as its four primary steps.
Accessioning involves integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This step verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data entry lacking from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-effective means to rule out drug usage for most samples, any positive screening requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples that are potentially positive in Screening mandate a follow-up confirmation.
For samples marked as potentially positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why conducting hair drug screening is particularly challenging.
For any positive screening result, Confirmation is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Prior to Confirmation, all potentially positive samples are washed as necessary. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, falls under the review of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Yeso, NM
When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests, the former excels in accuracy and reliability. Hair tests provide an unmatched detection window, capturing substance use data more comprehensively. This ensures that employers have a complete understanding of an individual's drug use history, surpassing the shorter detection span of urine tests.
Extended Detection Window in Yeso, NM
Hair follicle testing stands out for its ability to trace drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This long detection window allows employers in Yeso, NM, to gain a comprehensive overview of an individual’s substance use history, ensuring informed hiring decisions and ongoing employee assessments.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Yeso, NM
One significant advantage of hair follicle drug tests is their resistance to tampering. Unlike urine tests, hair samples are less prone to adulteration, providing reliable and credible results. In Yeso, NM, this quality ensures that the test outcomes remain untarnished and trustworthy, promoting fairness in assessments.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Yeso, NM
Our nationwide testing center network provides easy access to hair follicle testing services, ensuring convenience for residents in Yeso, NM. With local centers readily available, the testing process becomes hassle-free, allowing participants to focus on the benefits of a streamlined and efficient service process.
Simple, Confidential Process in Yeso, NM
The procedure for ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is designed to be straightforward and confidential. This process ensures user privacy and simplicity, addressing any concerns about confidentiality and ensuring a seamless experience for individuals in Yeso, NM.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Yeso, NM
Our competitive pricing models for hair follicle drug testing in Yeso, NM, offer excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Coupled with swift turnaround times, these tests provide peace of mind, ensuring that companies receive rapid and cost-effective solutions for their substance testing needs.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Yeso, NM
Hair follicle drug tests are known for their exceptional precision and swift results. The high accuracy levels they offer make them an ideal choice for detecting drug use. With hair testing, you get not only precision but also the assurance of fast outcomes, which proves critical when timely decisions are required for workplace safety and compliance reasons.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Yeso, NM
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Yeso, NM, helps employers adhere to drug-free workplace policies and minimizes legal risks. By ensuring compliance through rigorous testing standards, companies can focus on enhancing safety, boosting employee morale, and fostering a healthier and more secure workplace environment.
