Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assessment has emerged as a robust method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers in the fibers of the expanding hair strand, hair presents an extensive history of alcohol and drug use. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 90-day detection timeframe for substances. It's straightforward to gather, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness) nearest the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, the preferred sample size for testing and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for exact measurement. Should scalp hair be lacking, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be utilized. Our reference to head hair solely pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four principal phases in the laboratory analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s system. This process ensures the sample was securely sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening represents a preliminary rapid assessment for abusive substances. Although Screening is an economical method to negate drug usage in most samples, court-admissible results require confirmation of any positive screen. Samples that are preliminary positive in Screening necessitate further validation.
Should a sample indicate preliminary positivity during Screening, additional hair is gathered from the initial sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing one of the most complex methods to execute.
Verification of any positive screening outcome occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All initial positive samples undergo washing if required before verification. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair regulation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Referred to often as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation itself analyzes the hair strand, not the underlying hair follicle.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Montgomery, OH
Hair tests excel in detecting drug substances over time, unlike traditional urine tests which only identify recent use. Hair analyses provide consistent reliability and accuracy due to their broad detection window. This makes hair testing a superior choice for maintaining strict workplace drug policies while ensuring higher accuracy compared to urine tests.
Extended Detection Window in Montgomery, OH
Hair follicle testing stands out by detecting drug use over an extensive period, often up to 90 days. This longer window enables employers to gain meaningful insights into an individual's drug-use history, ensuring they have a clear understanding of an employee or applicant's past behavior, promoting informed decision-making and workplace integrity.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Montgomery, OH
One notable advantage of hair follicle testing is its resilience against tampering. Unlike some testing methods that may be easily manipulated, hair tests provide reliable results that are not easily adulterated. This ensures accuracy and trustworthiness, providing definitive results that employers can confidently rely upon.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Montgomery, OH
Our widespread network of testing centers ensures that individuals have convenient access to testing services. Whether you're in Montgomery, OH, or elsewhere, our facilities offer hassle-free testing solutions, making it simpler than ever to maintain compliance and to attend to necessary testing needs efficiently.
Simple, Confidential Process in Montgomery, OH
Our hair follicle testing process is designed to be both straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to collecting samples and receiving results, we ensure that every step maintains privacy and ease of use. We prioritize our client's needs for discretion and simplicity, ensuring a seamless experience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Montgomery, OH
We offer competitive pricing for hair follicle testing, making it accessible to companies of all sizes. Combined with our fast turnaround times, businesses can swiftly obtain reliable results, empowering them to make timely decisions without sacrificing budgetary concerns, thereby enhancing value for stakeholders.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Montgomery, OH
Hair follicle drug testing offers exceptional speed and precision. With cutting-edge analytical methods, the results are trustworthy and quick. Known for their superior accuracy, these tests are instrumental in identifying substance use, even at trace levels, ensuring that individuals and employers alike can make well-informed decisions based on dependable data.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Montgomery, OH
Implementing hair follicle testing ensures that employers meet compliance standards for drug-free workplaces. This testing method aligns with safety protocols and greatly reduces potential legal liabilities, supporting a safe and secure work environment where risks associated with drug use are minimized.
