Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing stands recognized as a significant means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged account of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the threads of the hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month period of detection for both alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, not easy to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A specimen of 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hairs (about the equivalent size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or any tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is necessary. It's advisable to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In situations where scalp hair is not accessible, an equal quantity of body hair might be obtained. Referring to head hair pertains to scalp hair alone, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four crucial stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample first undergoes processing into the laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs an initial swift check-on drugs of abuse. Though Screening serves as an economical way to disqualify drug use in most samples, any positive screenings require confirmation for court admissibility. Presumptive positives in Screening inevitably need secondary confirmation.
If a sample appears presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is drawn from the primary specimen, readying for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are drawn from hair at a far lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is among the most challenging techniques to execute.
Confirmation of any screening positives employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory progression, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though often termed as "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand instead of the hair follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Manchester, NY
The superiority of hair follicle testing lies in its enhanced accuracy and dependability compared to traditional urine tests. While urine analyses have their merits, hair testing offers a broader and more comprehensive detection timeline, ensuring a thorough and accurate overview of an individual's drug usage, greatly minimizing erroneous results.
Extended Detection Window in Manchester, NY
Hair follicle tests offer an outstanding detection span, observing substance use for up to 90 days. This provides employers with a comprehensive view into a candidate or employee's drug consumption habits over an extended period, helping shape more informed and dependable hiring and monitoring decisions for workplace integrity.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Manchester, NY
Hair follicle testing significantly curbs the potential for sample tampering, rendering it a secure and trustworthy assessment method. Its resistance to adulteration ensures that the results are authentic and credible, offering peace of mind in high-stakes environments such as workplaces and court systems.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Manchester, NY
Our widespread testing facilities nationwide ensure easy access to testing services with minimal hassle, including local availability in Manchester, NY. This accessibility allows for quick and efficient service attainment, streamlined for those requiring prompt and convenient testing measures.
Simple, Confidential Process in Manchester, NY
The procedure for hair follicle testing is straightforward and ensures complete privacy from initiation to results receival. This systemizes a confidential structure that assures clients of their data's sanctity while offering an easy-to-follow process for order placement, sample collection, and result access.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Manchester, NY
Offering competitive pricing coupled with swift turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services deliver significant value to businesses of all sizes. This cost-effectiveness, matched with rapid response, allows companies to efficiently manage and navigate their drug testing needs.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Manchester, NY
Hair follicle drug tests deliver precision and rapid return of results, setting a high standard of accuracy in identifying substance usage. The analysis of hair samples swiftly captures reliable data, making it an ideal choice for employers and regulatory bodies aiming for swift and dependable verification of drug history in clients or staff.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Manchester, NY
Employing hair follicle testing aids companies in adhering to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal challenges, and fostering a safe working atmosphere. This testing method assures organizations of compliance, supporting a safer environment, and reducing potential liabilities.
