Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair testing has grown in prominence as a robust means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the steadily lengthening hair strand. When harvested near the scalp, hair provides an approximately 3-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample consisting of around 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal specimen size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG tests or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is unattainable, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair specifically denote scalp hair, while body hair pertains to other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The procedure for processing a drug test result in the lab comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the preliminary handling of a specimen into the laboratory's system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach for ruling out drug consumption in most samples, a positive screening result necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Any samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening demand a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are separated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with alternative methods such as urine or oral fluid, which is the reason hair drug screening is the most intricate method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening finding is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo a wash before confirmation, as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests," the actual analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle tests and traditional urine tests in Berkey, OH, the former stands out for its superior detection capabilities and reliability. Hair tests provide a broader detection window and are less prone to evasion tactics, which enhances their reliability over the shorter-duration urine tests, making them the favored choice for many organizations.
In Berkey, OH, hair follicle testing is celebrated for its extended detection window. Unlike other methods, it can trace drug use up to 90 days, offering employers a comprehensive insight into an individual's past usage habits. This long-range testing capacity is invaluable for ensuring accurate background assessments.
Hair follicle testing in Berkey, OH, is virtually tamper-resistant, significantly lowering the chances of sample tampering. Its intrinsic design ensures that results are beyond dispute, making it a leading choice for those desiring trustworthy and unassailable outcomes.
Enjoy the convenience of multiple testing sites with our statewide and local options in Berkey, OH. Our presence throughout various locations facilitates quick, easy, and hassle-free access to testing services, ensuring that individuals and organizations can meet their needs efficiently.
Our process in Berkey, OH is simple and confidential, ensuring clients can easily order, administer, and receive results with respect to privacy concerns. This ease of use appeals to those seeking a straightforward and discreet testing experience.
In Berkey, OH, we pride ourselves on offering affordable prices and rapid turnaround times. Our competitive pricing strategy and quick result delivery provide excellent value and peace of mind to companies regardless of their size.
In Berkey, OH, hair follicle testing is acclaimed for delivering fast, accurate, and dependable outcomes. Precision in identifying substance use is markedly improved, ensuring that results are both swift and reliable. It's a testing method that offers unmatched accuracy, providing peace of mind to those seeking assurance in their testing protocols.
For Berkey, OH employers, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free policies, reducing legal concerns and advancing workplace safety. This method supports peace of mind, as it fortifies adherence to necessary standards, ensuring a secure and legally sound environment.
