Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term profile of substances by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the growing hair strand. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a 3-month window of detection for substances. It is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp will yield about 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It's advised to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it strictly refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for obtaining a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a specimen into a laboratory’s system. This step confirms that the specimen was adequately sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening encompasses an initial assessment for substance abuse. While Screening is an efficient approach to exclude drug use in most specimens, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be legally viable. Any specimens that are tentatively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a specimen be tentatively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. During this phase, substances are retrieved from hair at minimal concentrations, unlike other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis a challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All tentatively positive samples undergo a washing process before confirmation as needed. The full lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing traditional urine tests to hair follicle tests in Baker, ND, hair testing offers superior detection and reliability. Hair tests have a broader detection scope, providing a clearer picture of substance use. This makes them the preferred choice for organizations seeking thorough drug screening solutions.
Employers in Baker, ND benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle testing. It captures drug use over a span of up to 90 days, far exceeding the capabilities of other tests. This extensive timeline helps build a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance history for informed decision-making.
In Baker, ND, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant option for drug screening. Unlike other methods, the risk of sample tampering is significantly reduced. This leads to results that are reliable and nearly impossible to challenge, affirming trust in the testing process.
Our testing centers are conveniently located nationwide, including Baker, ND, making access to our services straightforward and hassle-free. Employers and individuals can quickly schedule appointments, ensuring efficient handling of their testing needs.
The process of hair follicle drug testing in Baker, ND is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each step ensures privacy and ease. This transparency and straightforwardness assuage any concerns over confidentiality and the complexity of the testing procedure.
Accredited Drug Testing in Baker, ND offers competitively priced hair follicle testing with rapid turnaround times. This combination provides excellent value, making it an ideal choice for companies, regardless of their size, seeking efficient and economical drug testing solutions.
In Baker, ND, hair follicle drug tests stand out with their swift and precise results. The method ensures accurate detection of substance use, catching substances other tests might miss. Employers can rely on the process for definitive insights into an individual's history.
By adopting hair follicle testing in Baker, ND, employers ensure they meet workplace drug-free compliance standards. This decision reduces legal risks and strengthens workplace safety, giving peace of mind to both employers and employees.
