Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective means to detect drug and alcohol use. Hair captures long-term histories by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When sourced near the scalp, hair can provide an approximate 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, taken from around 200 strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, yields 100mg, which is ideal for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't present, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four crucial stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into a laboratory’s database. This process involves checking that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing other data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary brief assessment for substance abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive result from this requires confirmation to be valid in court. Any samples with presumptively positive results in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation test.
Should a sample be presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are derived from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), affirming hair drug screening as the most complex methodology to undertake.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technology. Samples with presumptive positives are cleaned prior to confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure encompassing Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair labeling and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Glen Cove, NY, stands out due to its superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. While urine tests might be more common, the reliability of hair tests is unmatched. They can reveal drug use patterns over an extended period, giving a more comprehensive analysis, which is highly beneficial for employers.
One major advantage of hair follicle testing in Glen Cove, NY, is its extended detection window, which can trace drug use history for up to 90 days. This feature offers employers an in-depth view of an employee’s or applicant’s substance use, making it an invaluable resource for maintaining workplace safety and ensuring integrity during the hiring process.
Hair follicle tests in Glen Cove, NY, offer a robust solution to reduce the risk of sample tampering. The methodology employed in hair testing makes it extremely difficult to adulterate samples, thereby providing results that are reliable and beyond question. This tamper-resistant quality enhances the dependability of the testing process.
With conveniently located testing centers throughout the country, including in Glen Cove, NY, accessing hair follicle drug testing services is straightforward and hassle-free. This ready availability ensures quick and simple testing experiences for individuals and companies alike, reinforcing the commitment to efficient service.
The process for hair follicle testing in Glen Cove, NY, is both simple and confidential. From ordering your test to receiving the results, each step is designed to protect privacy while ensuring ease of use. Addressing potential privacy concerns, these tests are handled with the highest confidentiality standards.
Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Glen Cove, NY, delivers excellent value to businesses of all sizes. This affordable testing option comes with the added benefit of peace of mind, knowing that the results are both reliable and swiftly obtained.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests are unparalleled in Glen Cove, NY. These tests offer high accuracy when it comes to detecting substance use, ensuring results you can trust. The fast, reliable nature of hair follicle testing helps in making informed decisions swiftly, backing companies and organizations with dependable data on employee drug history.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Glen Cove, NY, ensures that employers are in compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This testing method not only reduces legal risks but also enhances workplace safety, providing peace of mind for both employers and employees by ensuring a safer, drug-free work environment.