Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a prolonged history of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample of around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen should be utilized. It is advisable to weigh the specimen on a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for a drug test result consists of four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample within a laboratory's framework. This process includes confirming that the sample has been sealed and transported correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not already covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient way to negate drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be verified to be admissible in legal proceedings. Samples testing presumptively positive during Screening need further confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is procured from the initial specimen for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex procedure to execute.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation, when necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle tests in Arkport, NY, offer a substantial advantage over urine tests. With a longer detection window and increased accuracy, hair tests provide insights that traditional urine methods may miss, delivering a more complete evaluation.
The superiority of hair tests lies in their ability to detect substances over extended timeframes, offering robust detection accuracy. They significantly minimize the risk of results being compromised or falsified through tampering, unlike urine tests.
Hair follicle testing stands out with its extended detection window of up to 90 days in Arkport, NY. This capability allows employers to gain a detailed perspective on an individual's historic substance use, far beyond the limitations of other testing methods.
By providing a thorough view of past drug use, hair tests help employers make informed decisions about potential hires, reflecting on a candidate's suitability based on their substance use history.
In Arkport, NY, hair follicle drug tests offer a tamper-resistant testing method. The structure of hair samples makes it extremely difficult for individuals to alter or cheat, ensuring unbiased and dependable results every time.
This robust resistance to tampering means hair tests can be trusted to reflect accurate substance use, reducing uncertainties and providing clarity needed for critical decision-making processes.
Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenience with nationwide testing centers, including those in Arkport, NY. This guarantees swift, hassle-free access to testing services across different locations, meeting various needs efficiently.
The wide network of available centers simplifies the testing process, ensuring timely and accessible services, whether local or across different cities nationwide, contributing to effective resource management.
The process for hair follicle testing in Arkport, NY, is simple and maintained with confidentiality. From test ordering to sample collection and result receipt, the steps are designed for ease of use, addressing privacy concerns effectively.
This streamlined approach ensures that participants experience convenience and discretion, reinforcing trust in the overall testing workflow and its integrity.
In Arkport, NY, hair follicle testing provides affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, delivering exceptional value to companies of varied sizes. The competitive pricing structures ensure accessibility without compromising the quality of results.
Quick result delivery coupled with cost-effective packages caters to budget constraints, fostering companies' ability to maintain stringent drug policies reliably and economically.
In Arkport, NY, hair follicle drug tests are known for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. The testing process is designed to quickly identify substance use with high precision, offering a trustworthy foundation for decision-making.
Advanced technology used in hair follicle testing ensures each test provides pinpoint accuracy, making it an optimal choice for those seeking rapid and dependable results. This method is capable of uncovering drug use patterns clearly and promptly.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Arkport, NY, supports compliance with workplace drug policies, offering peace of mind for employers. By minimizing legal risks and reinforcing a safe work environment, this method upholds rigorous standards in drug-free workplace initiatives.
Adopting hair testing measures helps employers align with compliance requirements, effectively mitigating liabilities while supporting a secure and productive workforce environment.
