Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is regarded as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair acts as a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When taken from near the scalp, hair offers up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG additions, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It is advised to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. In the context of head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The principal stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the preliminary processing of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts an initial swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to dismiss drug usage in most samples, any positive screen requires confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples testing presumptively positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. During this step, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than through other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is the hardest method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Mineral Ridge, OH, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests, showcasing greater detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests are confined to shorter detection windows, hair testing reveals a comprehensive drug use history. Employers and authorities appreciate the robust results, reinforcing trust in the data obtained from hair specimen analysis.
Hair follicle testing in Mineral Ridge, OH, offers a prolonged detection window, uncovering drug use for up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history, surpassing the limitations of shorter detection methods. It ensures a transparent view of drug use history, contributing to informed decision-making.
In Mineral Ridge, OH, hair follicle tests prove to be a tamper-resistant testing method, reducing risks of sample adulteration. Such vigilantly collected samples provide reliability and alleviate concerns of manipulation. This ensures the integrity of the results, maintaining stringent standards of evidence-based outcomes.
Accredited Drug Testing conveniently offers testing locations nationwide and locally in Mineral Ridge, OH, ensuring accessibility to our services. This expansive network guarantees a seamless, hassle-free testing experience. Clients benefit from ease of access to reliable testing centers, ensuring swift and efficient service.
In Mineral Ridge, OH, the process for hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. Clients can easily order, take the test, and receive the results, with every effort made to safeguard privacy. This user-friendly system addresses concerns of confidentiality, streamlining the entire testing journey.
Mineral Ridge, OH, clients can leverage our affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. Our competitive pricing model delivers excellent value, while the efficient process ensures expeditious results. This affordable service is tailored to businesses of all sizes, offering cost-effective and rapid solutions for drug testing needs.
Hair follicle drug tests offer fast, reliable outcomes in Mineral Ridge, OH, pinpointing substance use with remarkable precision. The method's accuracy ensures dependable results, allowing for confident decision-making. Trusted for its swift turnaround time, hair analysis stands as a superior option for immediate and conclusive drug screening needs.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Mineral Ridge, OH, ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks and enhancing safety. Employers are provided with peace of mind, knowing they possess a robust framework that upholds a secure working environment while meeting regulatory requirements.
