Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective approach for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When clipped close to the scalp, it can offer a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (about a #2 pencil width) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal quantity for screening and verification. For tests including EtG, add-ons, or panels above 10, a 150mg sample is advised. It's best to weigh the collection on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other forms such as facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves integrating a sample into the laboratory's database. This phase covers confirming that the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any secondary data entry not addressed by an electronic custody chain system.
Screening provides a rapid preliminary assessment for drug presence. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method to eliminate most samples from further testing, a positive screen must be confirmed for court acceptability. Samples flagged as presumptively positive in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.
For presumptively positive samples during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a particularly challenging method.
The confirmation of any positive screening outcomes utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All tentative positive specimens are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Fillmore, NY, hair follicle testing emerges as the superior choice over traditional urine tests. Hair samples provide a more reliable detection accuracy, reducing the likelihood of false negatives or positives. Unlike urine tests, which may fail to identify long-term substance abuse, hair testing offers a comprehensive view, ensuring employers can confidently monitor adherence to drug-free policies.
The extended detection window of hair follicle tests, available in Fillmore, NY, provides a crucial advantage. These tests can trace substance use for up to 90 days, offering employers a detailed insight into potential applicants or employees' histories. This long-term detection cap makes these tests invaluable for a thorough review of a person's substance-related behavior.
In Fillmore, NY, the risk of sample tampering in drug testing is significantly curtailed through hair follicle methods. This tamper-resistant testing approach provides trustworthy results, minimizing the chance of altered specimens. Employers can rely on hair testing to yield accurate data, facilitating proper decision-making without the anxiety of compromised samples.
Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenience for Fillmore, NY residents with its myriad of nationwide and local testing facilities. Our widespread locations offer hassle-free access to essential testing services, making it easy for businesses and individuals to reach our centers promptly and effortlessly.
The testing process in Fillmore, NY is designed to be both simple and confidential. Accredited Drug Testing handles everything from order placement to receiving results, all within a private framework. This seamless approach ensures clients experience minimal inconvenience while protecting sensitive information throughout the procedure.
Fillmore, NY companies find our hair follicle drug testing to be both affordable and fast. Our competitive pricing and expedited turnaround times offer excellent value, ensuring businesses of all sizes receive cost-effective services without sacrificing quality. This commitment to affordability supports companies in upholding their workforce integrity promptly.
Employers in Fillmore, NY are turning to hair follicle drug tests for their precision and rapid results. These tests stand out for their accuracy in detecting substance use, providing reliable outcomes. Compared to other testing options, they offer an efficient method for verifying substance presence, assisting employers in making informed hiring decisions quickly.
Employers in Fillmore, NY gain peace of mind and compliance assurance through hair follicle testing. Its use underscores a commitment to drug-free workplace policies, enhancing safety and reducing legal liabilities. This method signifies an organization's dedication to maintaining a secure and compliant work environment.