Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as a significant resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs through embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When extracted near the scalp, it can offer up to a 3-month look-back period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will provide 100mg, the preferred sample mass for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional panels, and tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest measuring the specimen with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is lacking, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair encapsulates all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Summary
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result consists of four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the early process of entering a sample into a lab’s framework. This involves checking that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid examination for substances of abuse. Screening is a budget-friendly method to disregard drug presence in most samples; however, a positive outcome necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples tentatively positive at Screening must undergo further verification.
If a sample shows a tentative positive result during the Screening, more hair is extracted from the original specimen to prepare for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most complex methodology to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screen result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumption-positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected 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: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Convoy, OH, hair follicle testing markedly surpasses urine testing. Detection accuracy is a key advantage, offering a clearer insight into long-term substance use, while urine tests mainly detect recent use.
The reliability of hair testing is unmatched, with little room for errors, whereas urine tests are more prone to tampering and false negatives. Hence, hair testing provides employers with superior assurance.
Hair tests offer an extended detection window in Convoy, OH, up to 90 days. This gives employers a thorough look into a person's drug use history.
Unlike urine tests, which offer a short detection period, hair tests allow companies to evaluate patterns of behavior over time, aiding in making informed hiring or retention decisions.
The hair follicle testing method is proven tamper-resistant in Convoy, OH. Reducing the risk of sample adulteration, these tests yield highly reliable results.
Employers and legal professionals favor hair testing due to its robustness and integrity, providing unquestionable evidence of drug use, thus ensuring trust in the testing process.
Our nationwide and local testing centers in Convoy, OH, ensure convenience and accessibility. No matter where the need arises, quick access to testing services is guaranteed.
This network of centers makes the drug testing process seamless and effective, saving time for individuals and organizations while providing comprehensive coverage.
The hair follicle testing process in Convoy, OH is simple and respects confidentiality. Ease of use and privacy are assured from ordering to receiving results.
Individuals and employers alike appreciate the straightforward nature of hair testing, addressing any privacy concerns while streamlining the testing experience.
With affordable pricing structures and quick turnaround times in Convoy, OH, our hair follicle testing provides great value for companies.
The competitive costs combined with fast results deliver both financial sense and peace of mind, accommodating businesses of all sizes.
Hair follicle drug testing in Convoy, OH, is renowned for its precision and rapid results. The method's high degree of accuracy in identifying substance use ensures more reliable outcomes and faster decision-making.
Employers benefit from hair tests due to their swift analysis and delivery of findings, promoting confidence in employment processes and reducing wait times for results, which maintains efficiency.
For employers in Convoy, OH, adopting hair follicle testing aligns with compliance and workplace safety goals. This testing method supports drug-free policy adherence and minimizes legal challenges.
With hair tests, companies enjoy peace of mind, knowing they are making efforts to maintain a safe and healthy work environment for all employees.