Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for spotting drug and alcohol usage. It provides a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the developing hair strand. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month detection window for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of about 200 strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analytes, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If no scalp hair is available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The four essential stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial processing of a sample within a lab's system, including checking that the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial rapid check for drug use. While it is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug usage in most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.
If a sample is presumed positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While typically referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test actually analyzes the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Panama, NY
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. The longer detection window and difficulty in adulterating samples provide a clear advantage over urine testing, facilitating a more effective approach to substance use screenings.
Extended Detection Window in Panama, NY
Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection period of up to 90 days, allowing employers a comprehensive overview of a candidate or employee's substance use history in Panama, NY. This capability provides a broader perspective beyond the limits of short-term tests.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Panama, NY
The hair follicle test significantly minimizes the risk of sample tampering. With rigorous collection protocols, this method ensures reliable and undeniable results, virtually eliminating the chance of adulteration that can occur with other testing types.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Panama, NY
With our network of testing centers Nationwide, clients in Panama, NY, experience seamless and convenient access to testing services, ensuring a quick and hassle-free testing process.
Simple, Confidential Process in Panama, NY
The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving results for hair follicle tests in Panama, NY, is straightforward and confidential. This ensures clients are comfortable with their privacy being safeguarded throughout.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Panama, NY
Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services deliver excellent value for companies, ensuring affordability alongside reliability and speed in results delivery.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Panama, NY
Hair follicle drug tests offer exceptional precision and speed, ensuring high accuracy in detecting substance use. This robust test methodology not only provides swift results but also maintains their accuracy, making it the preferred choice in Panama, NY, for timely and reliable outcomes.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Panama, NY
Adopting hair follicle testing helps employers comply with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety, providing peace of mind by confirming adherence to company regulations.
