Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as a potent instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended insight into alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can deliver an approximate 3-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional markers, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is preferred. It is advisable to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not an option, an equivalent portion of body hair may be used. Reference to head hair pertains solely to scalp hair. The term body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four pivotal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a specimen into a laboratory's system. This involves confirming the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screen mandates confirmation for court acceptance. Any samples that appear positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample appear positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower levels than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most complex method to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating positivity are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation plus the accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Patterson Springs, NC, hair follicle testing presents a significant advantage over more traditional urine tests. The key benefits include superior detection accuracy, offering a more comprehensive insight into long-term substance use compared to urine tests.
Hair tests provide a reliable assessment of an individual's drug history, unmatchable by standard urine tests. This comprehensive assessment makes them a better choice for employers seeking thorough screening procedures.
Hair follicle testing in Patterson Springs, NC, offers an extended drug detection window, reaching up to 90 days, much longer than other testing methods. This feature gives employers a full view of an employee's or applicant's drug use history, aiding better decision-making.
Using hair testing allows for detection over a quarter-year, enhancing employer insights into substance use, thus improving workplace safety and compliance efforts.
Hair follicle tests in Patterson Springs, NC, drastically decrease the likelihood of sample adulteration, providing an unquestionably reliable testing method. This reduces the potential for manipulation that is sometimes seen in urine testing.
With hair testing, tampering risks are minimized, ensuring results remain authentic and indisputable, which is critical for trusted workplace and legal use.
With convenient nationwide testing centers, our services in Patterson Springs, NC, facilitate swift and hassle-free testing. Whether you're nearby or not, our centers ensure that getting tested is an easy process.
The convenience of our multiple locations provides ease in accessing necessary services, ensuring quick results and a stress-free experience for all clients needing hair testing.
Our hair follicle testing process in Patterson Springs, NC, is notably simple and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, privacy concerns are minimized, ensuring client discretion is always maintained.
Clients will find the process straightforward, with user-friendly steps guiding them from initial testing to receiving results, ensuring ease of use while addressing privacy concerns thoroughly.
In Patterson Springs, NC, our hair follicle testing services offer affordable pricing and swift turnaround times. This ensures great value for companies both large and small, providing competitive pricing without compromising quality.
Quick processing of tests coupled with cost-effective options provides companies with fast results without breaking the bank, making hair testing an accessible choice for all organizations.
Hair follicle drug tests in Patterson Springs, NC, stand out for their exceptional speed and precision in delivering accurate results. These tests offer high accuracy, efficiently detecting a range of substances, providing quick and reliable feedback.
Employing state-of-the-art techniques, hair follicle testing ensures fast turnarounds while maintaining superior reliability. This methodology enhances detection capabilities, giving parties confidence in the outcomes received.
Employers in Patterson Springs, NC, benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks and enhances safety by offering a reliable assessment of drug use among employees.
Utilizing hair tests promotes a drug-free environment, equipping employers with peace of mind, knowing they make informed decisions, protecting company standards effectively.
