Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair testing has emerged as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of substance use by ensnaring biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for various substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant and easily shippable.
A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair might be collected. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves incorporating a sample into the laboratory’s system. The process includes confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for signs of substance abuse. Though Screening offers an economical approach to exclude drug usage in most cases, a positive screen requires confirmation to be legally admissible. Any sample presumptively positive in Screening requires further confirmation.
When a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, substances are separated from hair at markedly lower concentrations than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.
Using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS, positive screening results undergo Confirmation. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is thoroughly 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: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis involves the hair strand itself rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Cajahs Mountain, NC, the superior detection accuracy of hair testing triumphs. Hair tests offer more reliable results by identifying substance use over a longer period, eliminating the shortcomings linked with more conventional methods.
For employers in Cajahs Mountain, NC, hair follicle testing's extended detection window is invaluable. Capable of revealing drug habits spanning up to 90 days, it provides a detailed picture of an individual’s substance use, ensuring informed hiring and retention decisions.
Reducing the likelihood of sample tampering, hair follicle tests in Cajahs Mountain, NC stand as a trustworthy testing method. By minimizing the potential for adulteration, these tests guarantee dependable and decisive results that remain beyond dispute.
Offering convenient nationwide and local testing venues, we facilitate quick and straightforward access in Cajahs Mountain, NC. Our widespread network of centers ensures testing services that are not only efficient but also free from complication or undue delay.
In Cajahs Mountain, NC, the hair follicle testing process is both straightforward and confidential. From ordering to result receipt, the system prioritizes privacy at every stage, ensuring ease of use and peace of mind for all participants involved.
Cajah's Mountain, NC boasts competitive pricing structures paired with hair follicle tests' quick turnaround. These attributes offer exceptional value, catering to the budgetary needs of various companies while providing reliable assurance and swift service.
In Cajahs Mountain, NC, the precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug testing is unmatched. These tests not only detect substance use with utmost accuracy but also present results in a timely manner. Fast and reliable, they provide unparalleled insights into an individual’s history of drug use.
Hair follicle testing in Cajahs Mountain, NC supports employers in ensuring compliance with zero-tolerance drug policies. This method not only enhances workplace safety but also minimizes legal liabilities, offering unparalleled peace of mind for management.
