Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying the use of alcohol and drugs. The hair strands capture historical data by embedding biomarkers within the hair fibers as they grow. When collected from the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of nearly three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hairs (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, will yield 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-on tests or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equal quantity of body hair can be taken. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair includes other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary procedures in the laboratory analysis of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s workflow. This step involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and transported, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary test for the presence of drugs. Although Screening offers an economical approach to negate drug use for the majority of samples, a positive result must undergo confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening need further confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and readied for Extraction. In this procedure, drugs are retrieved from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other testing forms (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most challenging approach.
The confirmation of any screening-positive result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive receive a wash prior to confirmation if required. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair label and the certification to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the actual analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Germanton, NC, surpasses traditional urine tests through superior detection capabilities. It effectively identifies substance use over an extended period of up to 90 days, offering a detailed understanding of an individual's history. In contrast, urine tests have a shorter detection window, limiting long-term substance evaluation.
With advancements in hair testing, the method ensures heightened reliability over urine tests. The extended detection period, combined with resistance to common cheating methods, makes hair testing the preferred choice for critical assessments.
Offering a comprehensive detection period of up to 90 days, hair follicle tests in Germanton, NC, give employers an in-depth look into an applicant's or employee's substance habits. This expansive window is crucial for informed hiring and monitoring decisions, ensuring workplace integrity and compliance.
The capacity to trace back drug use over several months empowers employers to discern any patterns of substance use. As a result, they can better protect their organization from potential risks and affirm the candidate's reliability.
In Germanton, NC, hair follicle testing stands out as a highly tamper-resistant method, reducing the chances of sample adulteration. As manipulating samples becomes nearly impossible, the test provides unquestionable results. This reliability distinguishes it from other testing forms, fostering confidence in assessments.
Employers and legal entities benefit from this test's stringent standards, ensuring honest and consistent observations. Its design effectively counters fake submissions, promoting genuine, credible processes.
With convenient locations spread across the nation, Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access to services in Germanton, NC, and beyond. Our broad network makes it simple for individuals to reach our facilities, promising a hassle-free testing experience for everyone involved.
Whether local or nationwide, our centers offer prompt and convenient testing solutions, contributing to a streamlined testing process. Easy accessibility not only assures swift service but also fortifies our commitment to reaching communities everywhere.
In Germanton, NC, the process of undergoing a hair follicle test is both simple and confidential. Our approach protects privacy while making it easy to order, take, and receive results, addressing any privacy concerns seamlessly.
By prioritizing a straightforward testing process, we eliminate complexities that may deter individuals from getting tested. Our commitment to confidentiality ensures that both personal and organizational worries are aptly managed.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times in Germanton, NC, providing substantial value for companies of every size. Our affordable services ensure access to top-notch testing without compromising quality or speed.
By ensuring pricing remains reasonable, businesses can incorporate reliable testing into their operations, enhancing both safety and efficiency. The quick return of results underscores our pledge to quality service.
In Germanton, NC, hair follicle tests provide timely results with remarkable accuracy. These tests efficiently identify drug use, ensuring that results are both precise and swift. By relying on such a robust system, individuals and organizations can trust the outcomes, making informed decisions based on reliable data.
Characterized by their fast processing, hair follicle tests have emerged as the gold standard for detecting substance use across the country. Their unmatched accuracy not only highlights their efficiency but also solidifies their reputation as a credible testing method.
Using hair follicle testing in Germanton, NC, bolsters compliance with drug-free workplace standards, mitigating legal risks and helping maintain a safe working environment. This testing strategy aligns with employer policies, offering peace of mind and surpassing compliance requirements.
With the assured accuracy and long detection window of hair testing, businesses are fortified against potential infractions. The method aligns with company ethics, securing an environment fostering competence and safety.
