Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is regarded as an efficient method for identifying drug and alcohol intake. Hair offers a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug use by embedding markers in the strands of growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol use for up to around three months. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches containing approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests that exceed 10 panels, it is advised to use 150mg of the sample. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. In instances where scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. In context, head hair pertains to scalp hair only. Body hair includes other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key steps of laboratory processing for a drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial sample processing into the laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes additional data entry if not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial drug of abuse check. While it is a cost-efficient means to rule out drug usage for most samples, a positive screening necessitates confirmation to be court admissible. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening require a secondary confirmation.
When a sample shows a presumptive positive result in the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepped for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the more challenging methodologies.
Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditations.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though typically termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests, the advantages are clear. In Thousand Island Park, NY, hair testing offers superior accuracy and reliability, detecting a wider variety of substances over extended periods.
Hair testing outperforms urine tests, as it remains unaffected by recent consumption flush out tactics. This means employers can trust the results to reflect actual usage patterns, supporting more effective drug policies.
Employers in Thousand Island Park, NY, gain valuable insights with longer detection windows through hair follicle testing. Unlike urine tests, which only capture recent use, hair testing traces substance use up to 90 days, delivering a thorough substance history review.
This extended detection period equips employers with critical information, vital in making informed decisions concerning employment status, ensuring safety, and maintaining workplace integrity.
Hair follicle tests are a robust option against sample adulteration. In Thousand Island Park, NY, this method drastically mitigates tampering risks, delivering results that are both reliable and credible.
The nature of hair testing makes it significantly challenging to cheat, reinforcing the validity of the screening process. This ensures trust in the results, aiding decision-makers in acting on accurate and unaltered data.
Thousand Island Park, NY, benefits from Accredited Drug Testing's convenient locations nationwide, making access to reliable testing services straightforward and prompt. This broad network guarantees ease of service, eliminating the hassle of finding a viable testing center.
Clients experience a seamless process from start to finish, with local availability reducing wait times and enhancing service delivery, responding promptly to testing needs with care and professionalism.
Testing in Thousand Island Park, NY, is simplified by a straightforward and confidential process. Ordering, performing, and receiving results is designed to be user-friendly, prioritizing client privacy throughout.
This ease of access encourages participation and compliance, with clear instructions and support provided, ensuring clients feel assured and at ease with the entire testing experience.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround in Thousand Island Park, NY, providing excellent value for businesses of all sizes. The swift processing of results ensures minimal disruption to operations, at a cost-effective rate.
Economically structured pricing, coupled with efficient service, allows companies to uphold drug-free policies affordably, offering peace of mind and safeguarding workplace integrity without breaking the bank.
In Thousand Island Park, NY, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its speed and accuracy, offering timely and highly precise results. This method efficiently identifies substance use history, ensuring reliable data that helps make informed decisions swiftly and dependably.
Precision is a hallmark of hair follicle testing, as it minimizes false positives and negatives, making it an indispensable tool in the fight against substance misuse. Employers and individuals alike benefit from this accuracy, gaining assurance in test outcomes.
Utilizing hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, providing peace of mind for employers in Thousand Island Park, NY. With its reliable results, employers can confidently enforce their standards and diminish legal liabilities.
By adhering to rigorous testing methods, companies bolster workplace safety and maintain their reputations, demonstrating a commitment to both employee welfare and public accountability.
