Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The method of hair testing has become regarded as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers in the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to three months for substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and simple to transport.
A sample consisting of 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (about as thick as a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimum sample for testing and verification. For EtG, additional panels, or tests beyond 10 panels, a sample weighing 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler's scale to measure the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other hair types such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory handling of a drug test result includes four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step where a sample is processed into a lab's system. This task involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening entails a swift preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-effective means to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be valid in a legal context. Any samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening require secondary confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at a lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening a challenging process to perform.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is completed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation, if necessary. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test itself analyzes the hair strand and not the hair follicle under the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Loveland, OH. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. It boasts a longer detection window and is nearly impossible to deceive, providing peace of mind for employers and legal entities. In Loveland, OH, this method has proven more effective for comprehensive substance use detection.
Extended Detection Window in Loveland, OH. Hair follicle testing allows for detecting substance use over up to 90 days. This extended window provides employers a complete view of an individual's substance history. It is a critical tool for assessing long-term drug usage, providing more detailed substance profiles.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Loveland, OH. Hair follicle tests significantly reduce risks of sample adulteration, offering reliable and irrefutable results. The method ensures the integrity of samples, making it ideal for serious drug testing environments where authenticity of results is paramount.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Loveland, OH. The widespread network of testing centers ensures hassle-free testing service access, whether locally in Loveland or nationwide. Ease and convenience in test accessibility are hallmarks of our service, simplifying the testing process for individuals and businesses alike.
Simple, Confidential Process in Loveland, OH. Ordering, taking, and receiving results from tests is straightforward and confidential. Individuals receive assurance of privacy and ease throughout the process, ensuring a stress-free experience from start to finish.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Loveland, OH. Competitive pricing and prompt turnaround times offer valuable solutions for companies, regardless of size. Our efficient operations ensure cost-effectiveness while maintaining high standards in test delivery speed.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Loveland, OH. Hair follicle drug tests ensure high accuracy in detecting substance use. Their precision and speed provide rapid results, offering benefits over other testing methods. Clients in Loveland trust these tests for their precise nature, ensuring reliable insights into substance usage, ideal for various needs.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Loveland, OH. Implementing hair follicle testing ensures that workplaces adhere to drug-free policies, minimizing legal liabilities. Employers gain peace of mind knowing the safety and compliance of their work environments are upheld, promoting a secure workplace atmosphere.
