Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of substance usage by securing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When procured near the scalp, hair can extend up to roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It is advisable to measure the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. Head hair refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four critical stages in the lab handling of a drug test outcome consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This includes confirming the sample was sealed and transported properly, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data not included by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary rapid check for misuse of drugs. Although Screening is an affordable method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen needs substantiation to be legally valid. Any samples that are assumed positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.
If a sample is assumed to be positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower levels than found in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screen outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are assumed positive are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory progression from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the analysis involves the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing in Salisbury, NC offers tremendous advantages over urine tests. Benefits include:
Employers benefit from a clearer picture of an individual's drug history, promoting workplace safety.
Employers in Salisbury, NC, favor hair follicle testing because of its extended detection window. This testing method can trace substance use for up to 90 days, providing a thorough overview of an individual's drug history. Key benefits:
In Salisbury, NC, hair follicle testing offers a tamper-resistant method for drug screening. This testing type significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, leading to unquestionable results. Core strengths:
These factors ensure trustworthy results free from external interference.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing services nationwide, including Salisbury, NC. Key conveniences:
This accessibility ensures that clients receive timely and efficient testing services.
In Salisbury, NC, the process of hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. What sets it apart:
These features address privacy concerns and provide an easy-to-navigate testing experience.
Hair follicle testing in Salisbury, NC, is both affordable and rapid. Beneficial aspects:
These qualities provide excellent value for employers seeking effective drug screening solutions.
In Salisbury, NC, hair follicle drug tests offer rapid and accurate results. These tests are designed to detect substance use with precision, ensuring reliability. Advantages include:
These qualities make hair follicle tests an excellent choice for accurate and reliable drug testing.
Using hair follicle testing in Salisbury, NC, provides employers with compliance and peace of mind. This testing method helps uphold drug-free policies in workplaces. Important aspects:
Employers can confidently maintain a safe and compliant work environment.
