Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has established itself as an effective resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances by trapping biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer approximately a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and other substances. It is easy to gather, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch piece of roughly 200 hairs (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional requirements, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. Should scalp hair be absent, a comparable quantity of body hair is permissible. When mentioning head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair signifies all other forms of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory steps to process a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is about the initial reception of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This includes checking the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any missing information not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drug abuse. While Screening is cost-effective for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive result in screening requires confirmation to be valid in legal scenarios. Any samples showing provisional positives in Screening need further confirmation.
If the Screening phase detects a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are removed from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug testing is the most challenging to perform.
Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptively positive sample is cleansed before confirmation when necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle tests to urine tests in Circleville, OH, the former clearly offers numerous advantages. Hair testing covers a more extensive detection window, identifying drug use over months while urine tests detect recent use. The superior detection accuracy and reliability make hair tests an optimal choice for organizations enforcing stringent drug policies.
Hair follicle testing in Circleville, OH provides an extended detection window, enabling the identification of substance use for up to 90 days. This thorough temporal coverage offers employers a detailed overview of a candidate or employee's drug history, aiding in informed decision-making. The test serves as a valuable resource in maintaining a substance-free workplace.
Hair follicle testing in Circleville, OH is a tamper-resistant method significantly minimizing sample adulteration risks, ensuring reliable and indisputable results. This aspect of testing is particularly relevant for organizations prioritizing integrity and accuracy in drug use assessment, providing peace of mind and dependable outcomes.
Our nationwide network of testing centers, including those in Circleville, OH, makes accessing hair follicle drug tests convenient and hassle-free. The widespread availability guarantees swift and seamless testing services, catering to the needs of individuals and organizations alike, regardless of their location.
The hair follicle testing process in Circleville, OH is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy from ordering to result receipt. Clients can rest assured knowing their information is protected, facilitating a smooth experience marked by ease of use and discretion, a key factor for many when it comes to drug testing.
Hair follicle testing in Circleville, OH is competitively priced, aligning with quick turnaround times to deliver exceptional value. Our pricing structure is designed to accommodate companies of all sizes, providing comprehensive solutions that offer both financial and operational benefits while ensuring timely and reliable results.
The hair follicle drug test in Circleville, OH provides fast and precise results, ensuring high accuracy in identifying substance usage. Its rapid processing time offers an efficient solution for swift verifications, making it a top choice for organizations requiring immediate screenings. The testing method stands out for its enhanced accuracy compared to traditional techniques.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Circleville, OH ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, substantially reducing legal risks while enhancing safety. This comprehensive testing approach grants employers peace of mind by confirming compliance and mitigating potential substance-related incidents, supporting a secure work environment.