Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The technique of hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for monitoring drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a chronological record of alcohol and drug intake, encapsulating markers within the structures of the hair as it develops. Sampling hair near the scalp can offer a detection timeframe extending up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.
A sample size measuring 1.5 inches from around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) near the scalp provides about 100mg of hair for optimal testing and validation. For tests like EtG, expanded panels, or beyond 10-panel screens, 150mg of hair is suggested. It is advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't present, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. When referencing head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types of hair (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The drug testing procedure within laboratories involves four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step of incorporating a sample into a lab's systems. It involves confirming the sample's secure sealing and transport, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary evaluation for the presence of drugs. While Screening is a low-cost approach to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen mandates verification to be legally acceptable. Screens that are likely positive must undergo further confirmation.
Should a sample likely show positive in Screening, extra hair from the initial sample is prepared for Extraction. During this phase, the process focuses on removing drugs from hair at concentrations significantly lower than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva). This characteristic makes hair drug testing a challenging procedure.
Verification of positive results occurs through methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every likely positive sample undergoes washing as part of the validation process. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the scrutiny of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and certified to ISO / IEC 17025.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", the evaluation targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Laboratory, NC, hair follicle testing is a superior choice over urine testing. It enhances detection accuracy and reliability, identifying drug use patterns more effectively than conventional urine tests, ensuring stricter compliance with substance use policies.
One key feature of hair follicle testing in Laboratory, NC is its extended detection window. Drugs can be traced up to 90 days, offering employers a detailed account of an employee or candidate's substance use history, which traditional methods lack.
Hair follicle tests in Laboratory, NC offer a tamper-resistant approach to drug testing. The testing procedure significantly minimizes the possibility of sample falsification, guaranteeing trustworthy outcomes.
Our testing operations in Laboratory, NC benefit from accessible nationwide locations, ensuring efficient and straightforward testing services. This widespread availability enables convenient scheduling and ease of access, reducing the stress of logistical concerns.
Located in Laboratory, NC, our testing process is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns head-on. We simplify ordering, administering, and delivering results, providing a user-friendly experience from start to finish.
Offering competitive rates and quick turnaround times in Laboratory, NC, our drug testing services deliver outstanding value. This affordability, combined with fast processing, benefits businesses of all sizes seeking effective substance testing solutions.
Hair follicle drug tests in Laboratory, NC provide exceptional precision and rapid results. The accuracy of these tests ensures a reliable means of detecting substance use, surpassing traditional methods with efficiency and detailed reporting.
Employers in Laboratory, NC find peace of mind by using hair follicle testing to comply with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal concerns and promotes a safer working environment, aligning with compliance needs effectively.
