Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in the growing hair strand's fibers. When secured close to the scalp, hair offers an approximate 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient for transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 strands close to the scalp, roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil, yields 100mg, which is ideal for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a recommendation of 150mg is advised. Measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale is recommended. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. Specifically, head hair pertains only to scalp hair. Body hair includes other hair types such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test encompasses four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves integrating a sample into the laboratory's system initially. This process ensures the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, generates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Though cost-effective for dismissing drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Confirmation is mandatory for any samples that are presumptively positive during Screening.
For presumptively positive samples during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drug content is separated from hair at a much lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug testing is more challenging to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screen result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing, as needed, prior to confirmation. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly named "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing in Swansboro, NC, presents several distinct advantages. Enhanced detection is a key feature, allowing for drug identification over a longer period.
Urine tests, while useful for immediate detection, fall short in long-term accuracy. Hair tests provide a detailed insight from the past 90 days, offering employers and authorities more comprehensive data.
The extended detection window of hair follicle tests in Swansboro, NC, is a significant advantage. These tests can reveal substance use over a much longer timeframe, up to 90 days.
This prolonged detection capability allows companies to evaluate an individual's substance history thoroughly, supporting informed decision-making for hiring and monitoring purposes.
In Swansboro, NC, hair follicle testing is lauded for its tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other methods, it drastically limits the possibility of sample manipulation.
This test type ensures that the results are trustworthy and authentic, providing stakeholders with the confidence in the integrity of each assessment conducted.
In Swansboro, NC, the convenience of having nationwide testing centers is undeniable. This network ensures easy access to testing facilities across various locations.
With local centers, individuals and businesses can enjoy hassle-free services right in their neighborhoods, making the process seamless and swift.
Conducting a hair follicle test in Swansboro, NC, involves a simple and confidential procedure. From ordering to receiving results, the process is straightforward, ensuring ease for users.
The focus on privacy throughout ensures that all handled information remains secure, addressing any potential concerns about confidentiality.
For businesses in Swansboro, NC, our hair follicle testing is known for its affordable pricing and rapid response time, offering exceptional value.
These cost-effective solutions combined with fast results provide companies of all sizes the benefit of dependable testing services without compromising on quality.
In Swansboro, NC, hair follicle drug tests are gaining recognition for their rapid and precise results. Speed and accuracy define these tests, making them ideal for those needing reliable substance detection.
These tests guarantee high precision in establishing substance use, ensuring that results are both swift and correct. Their ability to produce quick outcomes adds to their favorability among various stakeholders.
Hair follicle testing promotes compliance and peace of mind for Swansboro, NC employers. It assures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, significantly reducing legal liabilities.
By implementing hair testing, companies can enhance workplace safety, ensuring a secure and regulated working environment, crucial for maintaining organizational standards.
