Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assessments are increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting usage of substances such as drugs and alcohol. The hair provides an extended record of these substances by incorporating biomarkers within its strands. When sampled at the scalp, hair can reveal usage over a time frame of up to about three months. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to adulterate, and conveniently shipped.
An optimal sample for evaluation and corroboration involves 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, which equates to around 100mg. For EtG, supplementary, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of specimen is appropriate. It's advisable to measure the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar volume of body hair can be utilized. The term head hair refers specifically to scalp hair, while body hair includes other categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary steps in lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample’s integrity during sealing and shipping, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfills any remaining data entry requirements absent from an electronic custody chain system.
Screening involves a preliminary assessment for potential drug usage. Though Screening is a cost-efficient means to largely exclude drug usage, any positive results must be confirmed for judicial acceptance. Samples with presumed positivity in Screening need a follow-up confirmation.
For samples flagged as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are isolated from hair at lower concentrations relative to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), contributing to the complexity of hair drug assessment.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques are employed to confirm any positive findings from the Screening phase. Presumed positive samples are washed before confirmation as required. This entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is validated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Outperforms Urine Testing in Wales, ND:
Hair follicle tests surpass urine testing with superior detection rates and increased reliability, making them the test of choice in many scenarios. Unlike urine tests, hair testing provides comprehensive data on longer-term substance use, enhancing its credibility and offering greater assurance.
Employers and institutions gain distinct advantages by opting for hair follicle testing due to its unmatched ability to detect patterns of drug use effectively, thereby making it a preferred option over conventional urine tests.
Extended Detection Window in Wales, ND:
One of the most significant benefits of hair follicle testing is its extended detection period, which can capture drug usage over a span of up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe offers employers an in-depth view of an applicant or employee's historical substance use.
This prolonged detection window is particularly valuable when assessing a candidate's or employee's potential impact on workplace safety, ensuring decisions are based on a holistic view of their behaviors and choices.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Wales, ND:
Hair follicle tests significantly enhance reliability by minimizing the risk of tampering. Unlike other testing methods, hair testing is nearly impossible to cheat, as it involves direct sample collection and rigorous preparation procedures that ensure result accuracy.
By reducing concerns over adulteration, hair follicle testing provides employers and individuals with trustworthy, objective results that they can rely on with confidence.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Presence in Wales, ND:
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access with testing centers located nationwide, including Wales, ND. This extensive network ensures that anyone requiring testing can find a local center easily, resulting in a seamless, stress-free testing experience.
Our strategic location placements emphasize our commitment to providing accessible, prompt, and efficient testing services across all regions, delivering unparalleled convenience.
Simple, Confidential Process in Wales, ND:
Our testing process is straightforward and ensures privacy. From ordering to receiving results, the process is designed to safeguard confidentiality, offering peace of mind for those concerned about privacy issues.
We prioritize simplicity and discretion, providing an uncomplicated testing journey that respects individual privacy while delivering thorough and accurate results.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Wales, ND:
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing while guaranteeing fast result turnaround, which assures businesses of any size cost-effective, top-quality testing services.
This combination of affordability and efficiency is aimed at delivering unmatched value, making us the ideal partner for timely and budget-friendly drug testing needs.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Wales, ND:
Harnessing high precision, hair follicle drug tests offer swift results that accurately identify substance use. This testing method stands out for its ability to deliver dependable results quickly, ensuring that individuals and employers in Wales, ND, can take decisive actions based on reliable data.
Speed and accuracy are pivotal components of hair follicle testing. This method rapidly processes samples to yield results that truly reflect an individual's substance use history, thus providing a transparent overview that facilitates informed decision-making.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Wales, ND:
Utilizing hair follicle testing helps ensure adherence to workplace drug-free policies. It supports legal compliance, reduces potential liabilities, and fortifies workplace safety measures, granting employers peace of mind.
As a reliable screening method, hair testing bolsters the integrity of drug-free policies, helping maintain safer working environments and protecting businesses from unnecessary legal complications.
