Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a comprehensive historical record for alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When cut near the scalp, hair can offer a drug and alcohol detection window of up to approximately 90 days. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and panels over 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a proportionate amount of body hair can be collected. By head hair, we mean scalp hair solely. Body hair includes other types (such as facial hair, axillary hair, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four major phases involved in processing a drug test sample in the lab: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the process of logging a sample within a laboratory’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample's seal and shipment integrity, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any pending data entry that an electronic chain of custody system does not cover.
Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. It offers a cost-effective means to rule out drug usage in most cases. However, a positive screening must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples that yield a presumptive positive during Screening require a subsequent confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for preparation during Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), attributing to the complexity of hair drug testing methodology.
Positive screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire process is overseen according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand itself, not the follicle under the scalp.
When comparing drug testing options in Cooperstown, NY, hair follicle testing excels over traditional urine tests. The method offers superior accuracy and reliability, ensuring more thorough detection.
Employers and other stakeholders benefit from hair tests due to their extended detection periods and resistance to tampering, providing enhanced insights compared to urine tests.
Cooperstown, NY, benefits from hair follicle testing's extended detection capabilities, identifying drug use for up to 90 days. This period offers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history.
For employers, this extended detection window means gaining deeper insights into an applicant or employee's drug use, thus aiding in informed decision-making regarding potential hires.
Hair follicle testing significantly reduces the possibility of sample tampering in Cooperstown, NY. This testing method ensures genuine and reliable results that stand up to scrutiny.
By limiting opportunities for adulteration, hair tests provide employers and other stakeholders with trustworthy findings, which are crucial for maintaining integrity in drug testing processes.
Our nationwide network, including Cooperstown, NY, makes hair follicle testing exceptionally convenient. With numerous locations available, accessing our testing services is both quick and hassle-free.
This widespread availability ensures timely and efficient testing, allowing individuals and organizations to complete necessary assessments effortlessly.
In Cooperstown, NY, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, all steps are designed with privacy and ease of use in mind.
This ensures that individuals can partake in testing without concerns about confidentiality breaches, making the experience smooth and secure.
Cooperstown, NY, enjoys affordable pricing for hair follicle tests with fast turnaround times, offering excellent value to companies of all sizes. This economic approach complements our precision services.
Organizations benefit from competitive rates, allowing them to conduct necessary testing within budget while still ensuring timely results delivery for informed decision-making.
In Cooperstown, NY, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision is unmatched when detecting substances, offering high accuracy levels.
These tests deliver quick results while maintaining excellent accuracy in indicating drug use, making them an optimal choice for timely assessments in identifying substance-related concerns.
Employers in Cooperstown, NY, achieve peace of mind through hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method minimizes legal risks and enhances safety.
By upholding rigorous drug testing standards, companies foster a secure workplace, promoting health and productivity while adhering to necessary regulations.
