Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The method of hair testing has evolved into a significant means of identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair acts as a recorder of prolonged alcohol and drug history through capturing biomarkers within the hair strand's growth. When taken near the scalp, hair samples offer up to a 3-month detection period for both alcohol and drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to deliver.
Obtaining a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil thickness) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is considered optimal for assessment and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings exceeding 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The process of a drug test result in the lab involves four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning represents the initial handling of a sample entering a lab’s system. This process includes checking that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data entry that was not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for abused substances. Although Screening is an economical approach for excluding drug use in most samples, any positive result necessitates confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that are potentially positive during Screening require a supplementary confirmation.
If Screening reveals a presumed positive, additional hair from the sample is processed for Extraction. Within this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), positioning hair drug testing as the most challenging method to conduct.
Positive screenings are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumed positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as applicable. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in accordance with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", this testing examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing testing methods, hair follicle tests in Lime Lake, NY, stand out for their superior accuracy and reliability. They effectively surpass the traditional urine tests that identify short-term drug use, providing a longer detection window. With hair tests, employers gain a detailed insight into candidates' habits, ensuring informed decisions consistently without risking doubts about recent drug use.
Hair follicle testing in Lime Lake, NY, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, presenting employers with a detailed record of an individual's substance use history. This critical time span is invaluable for making decisive hiring choices, outstripping the shorter spans of conventional tests and presenting an overview that promotes workplace safety and health.
For those concerned about sample integrity, hair follicle testing in Lime Lake, NY, is invaluable due to its tamper-resistant nature. These tests thwart attempts at sample adulteration, rendering the results indisputable. Unlike urine tests, hair samples collected under observation secure trustworthy, untouchable data that is essential for maintaining credible testing environments.
Our convenient nationwide testing locations, including those in Lime Lake, NY, make drug testing simple and efficient. By providing widespread access, we minimize the hassle associated with scheduling. Our centers guarantee a smooth and efficient testing experience, significantly easing the logistics for employers and individuals seeking professional screening services nearby.
In Lime Lake, NY, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential, catering to privacy concerns. From ordering to the receipt of results, our streamlined process ensures ease of use. Our procedure respects client confidentiality at every step, delivering peace of mind without compromising personal or professional privacy.
Our operations in Lime Lake, NY, emphasize affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. Offering competitive pricing structures, we provide excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Our swift processing ensures that companies receive prompt results, allowing them to quickly respond to the needs of dynamic operational environments.
In Lime Lake, NY, the precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled benefits. These tests deliver fast, accurate results that reliably detect substance use. Employers seeking undeniable proof of discipline in the workplace appreciate the accuracy of hair testing, which vastly outperforms other methods, offering a clear window into possible substance misuse.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Lime Lake, NY, ensures compliance with drug-free workplace standards. Employers gain the advantage of reduced legal risks, improved employee safety, and peace of mind knowing that they uphold regulatory obligations seamlessly, promoting an atmosphere of healthy operation and fortified safety measures.
