Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair testing as a detection technique for drug and alcohol consumption has gained recognition. The hair encapsulates long-term alcohol and drug history by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of its growing strand. When collected near the scalp, hair gives a detection period of about up to three months for alcohol and drug presence. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and conveniently shipped.
A 1.5-inch hair sample containing approximately 200 strands (similar to a #2 pencil's size) nearest to the scalp ensures 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screenings and confirmations. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to have 150mg of the sample. Usage of a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. The term head hair refers only to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing process in laboratories includes four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the sample's entry into a lab's system. This phase involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any pending data entry that an electronic chain of custody system might not cover.
Screening is an initial swift assessment for drug presence. Despite Screening's cost-effectiveness in excluding drug use for most samples, any positive screens must undergo confirmation to be court-admissible. Any sample with a presumed positive result in Screening necessitates further verification.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample for Extraction. Here, drug extraction from hair occurs at reduced concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), emphasizing the complexity of performing hair drug screening.
Confirmation for positive screening outcomes is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All presumptive positives undergo washing pre-confirmation as necessary. Throughout the process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, it is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditations.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", this test examines the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Gloversville, NY
In comparing hair follicle testing with traditional urine tests, the former offers superior accuracy and robustness. Hair tests provide a more extensive detection timeline, ensuring that substance use cannot be easily overlooked.
Hair testing in Gloversville, NY, captures a longer substance history, surpassing the capabilities of many conventional urine tests. This makes hair follicle analysis a preferred choice for comprehensive drug screening needs.
Extended Detection Window in Gloversville, NY
Hair follicle tests boast an extensive detection window, up to 90 days, offering a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history. This allows employers in Gloversville, NY, to make informed decisions based on a comprehensive drug use profile.
The ability to detect substances over several months provides a more complete evaluation, aiding companies in maintaining drug-free environments by spotting long-term patterns of use.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Gloversville, NY
Hair follicle testing stands out for resiliency against tampering. Its stringent collection and evaluation process minimizes risks associated with sample adulteration, assuring credible results.
For Gloversville, NY, stakeholders, hair testing offers indisputable integrity, effectively reducing opportunities for sample manipulation, thereby ensuring test results remain uncompromised.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Gloversville, NY
With testing centers spread nationwide, including in Gloversville, NY, accessing hair follicle testing is straightforward. Our network ensures hassle-free and prompt testing availability anywhere needed.
The convenience of multiple locations supports quick access and streamlined testing experiences for individuals and employers looking for reliable drug testing solutions.
Simple, Confidential Process in Gloversville, NY
Hair follicle tests are carefully structured to be simple and secure, maintaining confidentiality throughout the process—making them a preferred choice in Gloversville, NY.
From ordering to obtaining results, every step is designed to assure confidentiality, addressing privacy concerns for individuals and institutions alike, ensuring ease of access and use.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Gloversville, NY
Our hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing while maintaining quick turnaround times. It’s a cost-effective and efficient choice for businesses of various scales in Gloversville, NY.
This approach provides excellent value, ensuring that both small and large organizations can access reliable testing services without financial strain, bolstered by rapid result delivery.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Gloversville, NY
The high precision of hair follicle drug tests makes them indispensable for detecting substance use in Gloversville, NY. Offering swift and accurate outcomes, these tests ensure that detection is both reliable and timely.
With hair follicle testing, results are delivered promptly without compromising accuracy. This rapid process helps facilitate quicker decision-making for employers and individuals relying on reliable data.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Gloversville, NY
Utilizing hair follicle tests assists companies in adhering to drug-free workplace policies in Gloversville, NY. By reducing legal liabilities and elevating safety standards, these tests provide employers with peace of mind.
Incorporating hair testing supports a stringent compliance framework, fostering an environment where safety and compliance are prioritized, ultimately giving both employers and employees confidence.
