Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged timeline of alcohol and other drugs by encasing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a roughly 3-month spectrum of detection for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches long, consisting of roughly 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil), gathered closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for screening and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or examinations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler's scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we specify scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other types such as facial, axillary, etc.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome generally comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial processing of a specimen into a lab's system, which includes ensuring the sample was sealed and dispatched appropriately, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid check for drug abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive result needs confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that indicate a presumptive positive during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
If Screening suggests a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methods (like urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening the toughest methodology to execute.
Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as required. The overall laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Hannaford, ND, the advantages are clear. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests avoid many pitfalls, ensuring trustworthy results and a detailed historical analysis of substance use.
In Hannaford, ND, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance use history, providing more informed insights into their past behavior compared to shorter-term urine tests.
Hair follicle tests in Hannaford, ND, offer a robust method resistant to tampering. Their design significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring that results remain reliable and unquestionable, thereby maintaining the integrity of the drug testing process.
With testing centers nationwide, including Hannaford, ND, accessing drug testing services is convenient and efficient. Our extensive network facilitates quick and hassle-free testing, providing local access while leveraging a nationwide presence for comprehensive service delivery.
Ordering, taking, and receiving results of hair follicle tests in Hannaford, ND, is straightforward and confidential. Our process ensures privacy and ease of use, addressing clients' concerns while making drug testing an effortless experience from start to finish.
Our hair follicle testing services in Hannaford, ND, are competitively priced and paired with rapid turnaround times. This ensures excellent value, allowing companies of any size to benefit from affordable, efficient drug testing solutions with minimal waiting.
In Hannaford, ND, the precision and efficiency of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched. Their ability to accurately detect substances ensures that results are both fast and reliable, providing peace of mind for those needing comprehensive drug screening.
Employers in Hannaford, ND, can rely on hair follicle testing to reaffirm their commitment to drug-free workplace policies. By choosing this method, companies ensure compliance, decrease legal risks, and enhance overall workplace safety, creating a harmonious work environment.
