Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for identifying consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. When strands are collected near the scalp, they can present up to a roughly 90-day window of detection for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to alter, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands, comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil, yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both initial screening and subsequent confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be collected. References to head hair specifically denote scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, including facial, axillary hair, etc.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the sample’s initial integration into a laboratory’s system. This comprises verifying proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening signifies an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening provides a cost-effective means for ruling out drug use in most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed to hold up in court. Presumptively positive samples during Screening require further confirmation.
If a sample is deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than through other methods like urine or oral fluid tests, marking hair drug screening as the most complex method to conduct.
Positive results in Screening undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptively positive samples are washed as necessary. The whole laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed following both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," these tests analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.
Hair follicle tests in Barlow, ND, offer distinct advantages over traditional urine testing. With a significantly longer detection window, these tests ensure more comprehensive substance history reviews. Superior accuracy makes them reliable for various settings.
Unlike urine tests, hair follicle assessments are less vulnerable to tampering. Their meticulous processing and observation provide a trustworthy solution, enhancing their reputation as an essential tool for substance detection.
Hair follicle testing in Barlow, ND, is invaluable for its extended detection window. Employers can review up to 90 days of substance use history, offering deeper insights into an individual’s past activities.
This prolonged detection ability allows for a more encompassing assessment of applicants or employees, aiding in making informed hiring or retention decisions. With a broader perspective, organizations can maintain the integrity and safety of their environments.
Designed to address integrity concerns, the hair follicle testing method in Barlow, ND, significantly lowers the risk of sample tampering. This ensures that outcomes obtained are both reliable and indisputable.
Unlike some other methods, this testing technique minimizes the chances of manipulation. Employers and authorities alike can rely on its structured approach to deliver authentic results, necessary for maintaining valid substance testing protocols.
Accredited Drug Testing offers conveniently located centers nationwide, including in Barlow, ND, making it easy to access testing services. This expansive network ensures that obtaining a hair follicle test is straightforward and efficient.
Local test centers embody accessibility and ease, eradicating delays and cumbersome procedures. This fast-tracks the process, allowing individuals to focus elsewhere, confident that their testing needs are met swiftly.
The hair follicle testing process in Barlow, ND, is designed with simplicity and confidentiality in mind. From ordering to testing to receiving results, every step prioritizes ease for users while maintaining strict privacy measures.
Clients can engage with the process seamlessly, assured their information is secure. This user-friendly, private approach makes navigating drug testing requirements both comfortable and uncomplicated, ensuring a stress-free experience.
Barlow, ND, benefits from affordable pricing and swift turnaround times in hair follicle testing. Accredited Drug Testing's appealing rates provide excellent value, making essential services accessible for organizations of any size.
Competitive pricing doesn't mean sacrificing quality. Quick result delivery guarantees that businesses can proceed with minimal disruption, knowing they are getting the best combination of cost and service speed available.
In Barlow, ND, hair follicle drug testing stands out due to its fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision and efficiency of these tests ensure they are highly effective at detecting substance use, providing dependable information for decision-makers.
These tests outperform in delivering quick outcomes without compromising on detecting accuracy. Each test is meticulously processed, ensuring that every result carries high confidence, giving you the peace of mind you need.
Employers in Barlow, ND, using hair follicle testing, gain a marked edge in maintaining compliance and peace of mind. By adhering to strict drug-free workplace policies, organizations safeguard against legal challenges and nurture a safe working atmosphere.
This testing form aligns seamlessly with corporate regulations, helping to prevent potential liabilities and encouraging a productive, disorder-free workplace. With hair testing, companies can confidently uphold their policy standards.
