Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analyzes have gained recognition for effectively identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture biomarkers within their fibers, offering a retrospective view of alcohol and drug usage. When sourced from near the scalp, hair tests can reveal drug and alcohol use up to a three-month period. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.
To obtain 100mg of hair, a 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil width) near the scalp is ideal for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advised. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. In cases where scalp hair is not available, an equal quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. On the other hand, body hair includes all others (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result encompasses four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first stage, involving the entry of a sample into the lab’s framework. This stage verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any pending data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
As for Screening, it offers an initial check for substance abuse. Though cost-effective in ruling out drug usage for many samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to stand in a court of law. Samples showing positive results in Screening demand an extra round of confirmation.
Presumptive positives from the Screening phase proceed to Extraction, where additional hair from the initial sample is prepped. The Extraction process retrieves drugs from hair at remarkably low concentrations, compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening particularly challenging.
Positive results during Screening are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples indicated as presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation conforming to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle situated beneath the scalp.
In Chippewa Park, OH, the benefits of hair follicle testing surpass those of urine testing. Hair tests exhibit superior detection accuracy and reliability, offering a broader examination window. Unlike urine tests that can only detect recent use, hair tests skyrocket beyond, identifying long-term consumption patterns. This advantage makes them ideal for cases requiring stringent analysis.
Employers in Chippewa Park, OH find value in hair follicle testing due to its extended detection period. Unlike short-term methods, it reviews substance use up to 90 days prior, presenting a complete history of an individual’s drug activities. This comprehensive overview ensures that potential employees or current staff remain compliant and trustworthy.
One of the primary strengths of hair follicle testing in Chippewa Park, OH lies in its resistance to tampering. The testing method virtually eliminates the risk of sample adulteration, promising reliable and unquestionable outcomes. This secure process reassures both employers and judicial bodies of the authenticity of the results obtained.
With testing centers strategically located nationwide, including Chippewa Park, OH, gaining access to drug testing services has never been easier. Our network guarantees a swift, hassle-free experience with convenient local options. This ensures participants can undergo testing without unnecessary travel or delay.
Via a straightforward and confidential process, ordering, executing, and receiving results for drug tests in Chippewa Park, OH is seamless. We prioritize privacy and ease-of-use, addressing any concerns users may have about the sensitivity of this data. The process ensures discretion and simplicity, making testing stress-free.
Chippewa Park, OH benefits from competitive pricing and swift turnaround for drug testing. Affordable rates combined with rapid processing times offer exceptional value to businesses of various scales. This affordability without compromising quality gives companies peace of mind and optimizes their resource allocation.
The precision and reliability of hair follicle drug testing in Chippewa Park, OH make it an unrivaled choice. With the ability to detect substance use with high accuracy, it provides fast and trustworthy results. This method's efficiency stems from its ability to consistently pinpoint even low concentrations of substances, ensuring the integrity of the testing process.
For employers in Chippewa Park, OH, hair follicle testing offers compliance with workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal complications and fostering a secure work environment. It also provides peace of mind by ensuring adherence to strict regulatory standards, thereby reducing the risk of contraventions and promoting workplace safety.