Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly viewed as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended history by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers during growth. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage over a roughly 3-month timeframe. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch section containing around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil size) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. The specimen's weight should be verified using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for drug test results involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step where a sample is entered into the lab’s system. This procedure includes ensuring proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) randomly, and filling in any data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial, rapid assessment for drug presence. Although Screening can economically eliminate drug usage in most samples, any positive result must be corroborated to be court-eligible. Samples that are presumptively positive require additional confirmation.
If a sample appears positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing particularly challenging.
To confirm any positive screening results, GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS is used. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The whole lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand rather than the scalp's hair follicle.
When considering hair follicle testing against traditional urine tests in Providence, NC, hair testing offers superior accuracy. Hair tests have a longer detection window, which makes them more reliable.
Hair follicle testing minimizes the chances of sample tampering and provides a clearer view of an individual's drug use history, making it a preferred choice for employers.
The hair follicle testing method employed in Providence, NC provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This duration offers employers a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use.
Employers benefit from this detailed insight into drug habits, aiding in better decision-making when it comes to hiring and maintaining a safe workspace.
Hair follicle testing significantly reduces the risk of tampering in Providence, NC. This testing method ensures that sample adulteration is minimized, resulting in reliable outcomes.
Due to its resistance to tampering, hair follicle testing stands out as a trustworthy method for accurate drug screening.
With comprehensive testing centers available nationwide, including locations in Providence, NC, our services are convenient and accessible.
The reach of our testing facilities ensures swift, straightforward, and efficient access to hair follicle testing services.
The process for conducting hair follicle testing in Providence, NC is simple and maintains confidentiality at each step.
From ordering to receiving results, every phase respects privacy, streamlining the experience for users.
In Providence, NC, our hair follicle testing services are competitively priced and offer fast turnaround times.
These affordably priced services provide exceptional value, catering to businesses of various sizes while ensuring peace of mind.
In Providence, NC, hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method boasts impressive precision, detecting even trace amounts of substances efficiently.
These tests are known for their exceptional accuracy and ability to deliver immediate results, ensuring that individuals and organizations can rely on the information provided.
Employers in Providence, NC can achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This robust method supports drug-free workplace policies.
The reliability of hair follicle tests helps employers reduce legal risks and fosters a safer workplace environment.
