Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Progress in hair testing marks it as an effective means for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within its fibers, offering an extended profile of drug and alcohol presence. When taken from the scalp area, hair can present a detection timeline for substances that stretches nearly three months. Collection of hair is straightforward, less likely to be tampered with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair sample, consisting of roughly 200 strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness), offers 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and tests involving more than 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. Should scalp hair be absent, an equivalent bulk of body hair may be utilized. The term "head hair" pertains exclusively to scalp hair. "Body hair" includes all other varieties (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key phases in laboratory drug test result processing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves initially processing a sample within a lab's framework. This stage confirms that the sample was properly sealed and delivered, generates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not already captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
During Screening, a swift preliminary test is conducted for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive preliminary result mandates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples trending positive in Screening necessitate further validation.
If the Screening phase indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the sample for the Extraction stage. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations lower than those in alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any presumptive positive result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All samples with positive indications undergo a washing process before confirmation, as required. The laboratory's entire sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed following CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is often used, although it is the strand itself analyzed, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Zuni, NM, the advantages become clear. Hair tests offer a more extended detection period and are less susceptible to tampering, making them better suited for ensuring compliance with drug-free policies. The overall reliability and accuracy of hair testing clearly outmatch the limitations of urine testing.
In Zuni, NM, hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage with its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This method allows employers to gain a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history, making it an invaluable tool for pre-employment screening and ongoing workplace programs.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle drug tests in Zuni, NM, provides unparalleled protection against sample adulteration. These tests offer reliable and unquestionable results that are critical in maintaining the integrity of the testing process. Fraudulent practices are significantly harder when utilizing hair samples.
With convenient testing locations nationwide and in Zuni, NM, hair follicle drug testing ensures quick and hassle-free access to essential services. Our expansive network allows individuals and businesses to receive timely and efficient testing support.
In Zuni, NM, the process for hair follicle drug testing is designed to be simple and confidential, catering to privacy concerns and ensuring a smooth experience. Ordering, taking, and receiving test results have been streamlined for ease and security.
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, hair follicle drug testing in Zuni, NM, delivers excellent value, catering to companies of all sizes. Our competitive pricing structures ensure cost-efficiency without compromising on service quality.
Hair follicle drug tests in Zuni, NM, provide fast, accurate, and reliable results that significantly enhance the detection of substance use. The precision of these tests ensures a higher accuracy rate in identifying drug usage, making them an invaluable tool for employers and authorities looking for dependable testing methods.
Employers in Zuni, NM, find peace of mind and confidence in compliance through hair follicle drug testing. This method supports adherence to workplace drug-free policies, thus reducing legal risks and fostering safer work environments. Hair testing minimizes uncertainties that can arise from less reliable testing methods.