Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair provides a timeline of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, adulteration is relatively challenging, and transportation is simple.
A section of hair measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) at the scalp level will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample size for both initial screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or testing above ten panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair only, while body hair includes all other types like facial, axillary, and others.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the sample's initial handling within the laboratory’s system. This process includes confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, allocating a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and performing any further data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for substance use. Although Screening is an economical method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.
When a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than those found using other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most complex methodologies.
Each positive screen must be confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positives are washed ahead of confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle located beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Derby, OH can be attributed to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle tests present a longer detection window and provide comprehensive insights into an individual's drug history. This makes it the favored choice for employers looking to enforce a safe and drug-free workplace environment.
Extended Detection Window highlights how hair follicle testing in Derby, OH, offers a considerable advantage as it detects drug use over an extended period of up to 90 days. This broad investigation timeframe provides employers with a comprehensive understanding of a candidate or employee’s substance use, allowing for better-informed staffing decisions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method: Hair follicle tests in Derby, OH, greatly minimize the risk of sample adulteration. This feature ensures that results remain reliable and unquestionable, providing employers with the confidence that the findings are genuine and unaltered, which is crucial for maintaining strict no-drug-use policies.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations combined with local sites in Derby, OH, offer unparalleled convenience. Accredited Drug Testing provides swift, straightforward, and stress-free access to testing services, ensuring individuals and employers can easily meet their testing needs without the hassle.
Simple, Confidential Process: The hair follicle drug testing in Derby, OH, involves an uncomplicated and confidential procedure for test ordering, collection, and result delivery. This approach addresses privacy concerns effectively, ensuring that users find the process both discreet and user-friendly.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround: Our competitive pricing structures paired with expedient turnaround times provide excellent value. Accredited Drug Testing ensures that companies in Derby, OH, of every size can benefit from efficient services delivered swiftly, thus maintaining peace of mind while managing drug testing requirements.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are a hallmark of hair follicle drug tests in Derby, OH. These tests assure precision and promptness, detecting substance use with high accuracy. This reliability offers invaluable insights into an individual’s drug use history, ensuring employers can make informed decisions based on the thoroughness of the results obtained.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers: Utilizing hair follicle testing in Derby, OH, ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies and reduces legal liabilities. This method enhances overall workplace safety by fostering a drug-free work environment, thus providing employers with peace of mind and assurance of compliance.
