Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a potent means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers in the expanding hair strand's fibers. When sourced near the scalp, hair can present an approximate 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, fairly challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or more than 10-panel tests, it is advised to have 150mg of the sample. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result broadly includes four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a specimen into the laboratory's framework. This process includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any extra data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial, brisk evaluation for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is an economical approach for dismissing drug usage in most samples, a positive outcome requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate an additional confirmation.
Should a specimen indicate a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening represents the most intricate methodology to execute.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS is utilized to confirm any positive screening result. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliant with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the testing process evaluates the hair strand itself, rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Sherman, NY stands as a superior option against conventional urine tests due to its higher detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair exams can identify a broad range of substances with precision and offer credible results that employers and legal authorities trust.
Strengths of Hair Testing:
Notably beneficial in Sherman, NY, hair follicle testing boasts a detection window far exceeding traditional tests, offering visibility into drug use over the last 90 days. This allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of an employee or applicant's substance use patterns.
Extended Detection Insights:
In combating sample adulteration risks, hair follicle tests in Sherman, NY offer a robust solution that is markedly tamper-resistant. This ensures that the results are credible and trustworthy, a critical assurance for employers and legal bodies.
Secure Testing Procedures:
With a vast network of testing centers across the country, including convenient sites in Sherman, NY, accessing hair follicle testing is straightforward and hassle-free. This ensures rapid service availability irrespective of location.
Test Location Benefits:
Our testing process in Sherman, NY is designed to be straightforward and private, from ordering to receiving results. This addresses any concerns of privacy, guaranteeing that individuals feel secure and at ease throughout the entire procedure.
Confidential Process Features:
Our affordable pricing and expedient turnaround times in Sherman, NY make hair follicle testing an exceptional value for businesses of any size. Our cost-competitive structure ensures companies can maintain high testing standards while managing expenses efficiently.
Cost-Effective Solutions:
In Sherman, NY, hair follicle drug tests promise not only speed but also unparalleled accuracy in detecting substance use. Their efficient processing ensures swift, dependable results, making them the go-to choice for time-sensitive and critical employment or legal screenings.
Benefits of Hair Testing:
Choosing hair follicle testing in Sherman, NY empowers employers with the confidence of complete compliance with drug-free workplace policies, significantly lowering the risk of legal liabilities and enhancing workplace safety.
Employer Advantages:
