Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug usage by trapping biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken from near the scalp, hair samples can reveal alcohol and drug use over an approximately 3-month period. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section comprising around 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional testing, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. Here, head hair specifically means scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result follows four main phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step where the sample is introduced into the laboratory’s system. This stage includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data not entered via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a rapid initial assessment for drugs of abuse. While cost-effective for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be legally defensible. Presumptive positives in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs at notably lower concentrations from hair compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), showcasing the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of positive screening results is executed using techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, if required. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is rigorously reviewed following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Tests Outperform Urine Tests
When comparing hair follicle testing with the more traditional urine tests in Fairfield Beach, OH, the former provides an edge in accuracy and reliability. With superior detection capabilities, hair tests offer insights over an extended period, surpassing the limitations of urine tests.
Unparalleled Detection Window
Hair follicle testing in Fairfield Beach, OH stands out due to its extensive drug use detection period, stretching up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe offers employers comprehensive insights into an individual's history of substance use, making it a superior choice.
Reliable and Tamper-Resistant
One key advantage of hair follicle tests in Fairfield Beach, OH lies in their resistance to sample tampering. By minimizing the possibility of adulteration, these tests provide credible results, ensuring seamless testing procedures.
Convenient Access Nationwide
The presence of nationwide testing centers in Fairfield Beach, OH makes it effortless for individuals and companies alike to access fast, straightforward testing services, enhancing the overall user experience.
A Streamlined and Private Process
The testing process in Fairfield Beach, OH is both simple and confidential. Clients can expect a straightforward procedure from ordering to receiving results, with confidentiality maintained to ease privacy concerns.
Value for Money and Quick Results
Fairfield Beach, OH offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times for hair follicle testing. This approach provides businesses of all sizes with excellent value, along with the assurance of quick, dependable results.
Rapid and Trustworthy Testing Results
In Fairfield Beach, OH, hair follicle tests are celebrated for their speed and precision. Their ability to seamlessly and accurately detect trace substances provides unmatched reliability in the screening process, offering users peace of mind due to their proven effectiveness.
Compliance and Assurance in the Workplace
Using hair follicle testing can assure Fairfield Beach, OH employers of compliance with a drug-free work environment, mitigate legal challenges, and enhance overall safety within the workplace.
