Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is considered a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended timeline by encapsulating biomarkers within the growing hair fibers. When acquired near the scalp, hair can reflect up to an approximately three-month timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is uncomplicated, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to use 150mg. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the sample. If no scalp hair exists, an equivalent volume of body hair can be taken. The mention of head hair denotes scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory sequence for processing a drug test result involves four pivotal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails initially integrating a sample into a lab's framework. This step ensures the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplementary data inputs not furnished by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. It is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use for most samples; however, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal validity. Samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening need an additional confirmation.
When a sample tests presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Verification of any positive screen result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary. The complete process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, complies with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing far surpasses traditional urine tests in Hemby Bridge, NC. Benefits of hair testing include superior detection accuracy and reliability. Employers and courts favor this method for its longer detection times and lower risk of result manipulation, providing a clearer view of substance use history.
Employers in Hemby Bridge, NC, benefit from the extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing. Unlike other methods, it detects drug use over much longer periods—up to 90 days—providing a comprehensive review of an individual's substance use history.
Hair follicle tests in Hemby Bridge, NC, provide a tamper-resistant testing method. They significantly reduce the chance of sample tampering, offering results that are both reliable and indisputable, thereby ensuring that stakeholders have access to genuine information.
With convenient testing locations nationwide, including in Hemby Bridge, NC, accessing drug testing services is easy and hassle-free. Our widespread network ensures swift and seamless testing options for individuals and organizations, whenever needed.
In Hemby Bridge, NC, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward, addressing privacy concerns and ensuring ease of use for every client.
Hair follicle testing in Hemby Bridge, NC, is known for its affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. Offering excellent value, these services cater to companies of all sizes, delivering results quickly and cost-effectively.
In Hemby Bridge, NC, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and trustworthy results. Hair testing precision is unparalleled, making it an ideal choice for detecting substance use. It's a method that stands out for its high accuracy, ensuring reliable conclusions in a variety of situations.
To maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies in Hemby Bridge, NC, employers rely on hair follicle testing. It reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety, offering peace of mind by ensuring a safe and compliant working environment.
