Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examinations are now recognized as an effective mechanism to discover the usage of drugs and alcohol. Hair strands record a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug intake by locking biomarkers within the growing fibers. When procured near the scalp, these strands can offer around a 3-month detection period for alcohol and substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) adjacent to the scalp equates to 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional analyses, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of specimen is advisable. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar volume of body hair can be utilized. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The procedure for processing a drug test result in the lab encompasses Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the early integration of a sample into the lab’s systems. This involves ensuring the sample was intact and conveyed properly, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any other data requirements absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary swift analysis for substance abuse. Even though Screening is a budget-friendly approach to negate drug use in most samples, a positive result mandates confirmation for court legitimacy. Any samples indicating presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate additional validation.
If a specimen hints at positivity during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for Extraction. This phase involves removing drugs from hair at notably low concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation for any presumptive positive result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positivity are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly misconstrued as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ironton, OH: Hair tests offer superior accuracy and a longer detection period compared to urine tests. With a detection window of up to 90 days, employers gain a more honest view of substance use, making hair tests the preferred choice for stringent drug policies.
Extended Detection Window in Ironton, OH: Hair follicle testing offers a detection period lasting up to 90 days, providing a more complete overview of substance use history. Employers can better evaluate the consistency and patterns of drug use among their staff, ensuring a drug-free workplace.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ironton, OH: The hair follicle testing process reduces the risk of sample tampering, ensuring reliable, accurate results. This secure method instills confidence among employers, knowing that the tests upheld the integrity and authenticity.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Ironton, OH: Our widespread network of testing centers ensures that drug screening is both accessible and straightforward. Whether in Ironton or elsewhere, our centers provide convenient testing solutions for all needs.
Simple, Confidential Process in Ironton, OH: Ordering and taking a hair follicle test is straightforward and designed with confidentiality in mind. We ensure a private, hassle-free experience for everyone involved, from order placement to result receipt.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ironton, OH: We offer competitive pricing combined with fast turnaround times, making our hair testing services a valuable resource for businesses of any size. This pairing ensures efficient and cost-effective drug screening solutions.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ironton, OH: Hair follicle drug tests are praised for their high accuracy and reliability in detecting substance use. These tests quickly provide results that let employers make informed decisions about their staff or potential hires, enhancing workplace safety and compliance.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ironton, OH: Hair follicle tests support compliance with workplace policies by providing straightforward and untainted results. This compliance reduces legal risks while increasing workplace safety and morale.
