Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol abuse. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken near the scalp, it allows for a detection timeframe of around three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, not easily tampered with, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch hair sample, comprising approximately 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen is suggested. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair may be secured. When discussing head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab processing of a drug test result includes four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab's system. This step involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry that isn't included in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary quick assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening serves as a budget-friendly method to rule out substance use in most samples, a positive outcome necessitates confirmation for court acceptance. Samples with presumptively positive results in Screening require additional confirmation.
For samples that are presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is gathered from the initial sample for the Extraction. In this phase, substances are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is one of the most complex methodologies.
Confirming any positive screening results is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Prior to confirmation, all samples marked as presumptively positive are washed if necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Savona, NY, hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests can demonstrate recent use, hair tests provide a broader overview of an individual's substance history, ensuring employers and other stakeholders receive a complete picture.
With its extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Savona, NY becomes a valuable tool for employers. Detecting drug use over approximately 90 days, it provides a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history.
In Savona, NY, hair follicle tests shine in their ability to minimize the risk of tampering, ensuring results remain reliable and trustworthy. Their design makes it considerably challenging for individuals to alter the outcomes, unlike more standard methods.
With numerous local and national testing centers, Savona, NY offers unparalleled convenience for drug testing. This nationwide network ensures that accessing testing services is quick, easy, and hassle-free for individuals and companies alike.
The process for hair testing in Savona, NY emphasizes confidentiality and ease of access. It is designed to be simple and private, ensuring clients are comfortable with ordering, taking tests, and receiving results.
Savona, NY offers competitive pricing structures for hair follicle testing, coupled with fast turnaround times. These factors provide substantial value for businesses of any size, ensuring quality without excess expenditure.
Hair follicle drug testing in Savona, NY stands out for its accuracy and speed. These tests provide fast and reliable results that are critical for making informed decisions. With the capacity for precise detection of substance use, clients can trust the outcomes when assessing compliance and safety measures.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Savona, NY offers employers compliance and peace of mind. By maintaining alignment with drug-free workplace policies, businesses mitigate legal risks and enhance safety standards across their operations.
