Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examinations are now recognized as a significant method for uncovering drug and alcohol usage. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by holding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. Harvested near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to approximately three months for alcohol and various drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion containing around 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) most proximal to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal specimen for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional checks, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair includes all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory handling of a drug examination result involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s framework. This process entails ensuring the sample was properly sealed and delivered, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening acts as a preliminary assessment for illicit substance use. Although Screening offers a budget-friendly means of disputing drug usage on most samples, a positive screening outcome requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a follow-up verification.
If a sample is deemed presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is separated from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at a significantly lower concentration than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most intricate procedure to execute.
Verification of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The full laboratory operation, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", this test actually evaluates the hair shaft and not the follicle situated beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle to urine tests in Middle Point, OH, hair testing emerges superior. It offers enhanced detection accuracy and is more reliable in identifying long-term substance use.
Employers and institutions benefit from opting for hair tests, as they offer a more extensive insight, surpassing traditional urine analysis.
The effectiveness of hair follicle tests in spotting drug use gives a more comprehensive view than standard urine tests, ensuring thorough evaluations.
One of the standout advantages of hair follicle testing in Middle Point, OH is its extended detection window. It offers insights into drug use over a span of approximately 90 days.
This extended period provides employers with a deeper understanding of an individual’s substance history, unlike other testing methods.
Employers benefit from a broader assessment timeframe, enabling more informed decisions regarding employee or applicant substance use histories.
Hair follicle testing in Middle Point, OH significantly reduces sample tampering risks. This method ensures reliable and irrefutable outcomes.
The difficulty in altering or adulterating hair samples makes hair drug testing a trustworthy choice for accurate results.
Employers and agencies can depend on the integrity of hair testing, diminishing concerns over manipulated sample submissions.
Middle Point, OH, benefits from convenient access to numerous testing centers nationwide, making drug testing services readily accessible.
The widespread availability of our testing locations ensures a swift and hassle-free experience for all clients.
No matter the location, individuals can easily avail themselves of testing facilities, ensuring timely and efficient processing.
The hair follicle testing process in Middle Point, OH is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy at every stage.
From ordering to receiving results, clients are assured a hassle-free experience with full discretion.
We prioritize ease of use, making the entire process as seamless as possible while safeguarding personal information.
In Middle Point, OH, hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, ensuring exceptional value.
Companies of all sizes benefit from our affordable rates and quick processing, making us a preferred choice.
Our commitment to providing cost-effective solutions alongside prompt results guarantees client satisfaction and peace of mind.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests in Middle Point, OH are exemplary. These tests provide highly accurate readings, reliably identifying substance use.
Employing state-of-the-art techniques, hair follicle testing ensures rapid and precise results, minimizing waiting periods while maintaining accuracy.
The meticulous nature of hair drug testing guarantees confidence in results, reassuring those relying on testing for critical decisions.
Hair follicle testing serves as a reliable method for maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies in Middle Point, OH, offering employers peace of mind.
Such tests reduce legal risks and enhance overall workplace safety by ensuring adherence to set protocols.
Employers can trust hair drug testing to help in fostering a safer working environment, aligned with regulatory standards.