Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by immobilizing biomarkers within the hair's growing strands. When collected from the scalp, hair can cover a detection period of nearly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyzing beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is inadequate, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. Scalp hair refers specifically to head hair, while body hair denotes other types like facial, axillary, etc.
Process Overview
The drug test result processing at the lab encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step of incorporating a sample into a laboratory system. This step includes validating that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening pertains to an initial swift assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug usage for many samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves isolating drugs from hair at a notably lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening exceptionally challenging to execute.
Confirmation for any positive screening outcome utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Any samples presumptively positive are cleaned prior to confirmation as needed. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab process is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited in accordance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.
In Northbrook, OH, hair follicle testing stands out over traditional urine tests by providing enhanced detection accuracy. Its capacity to cover a broader timeframe makes it a superior choice for employers looking for reliable and robust screening options, going beyond the limitations of shorter testing methods.
Hair follicle testing in Northbrook, OH, offers an extended detection window, capturing drug use history up to 90 days. This enables employers to gain a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance use patterns, supporting more informed decisions about potential hires or existing employees.
Hair follicle testing minimizes the chance of sample tampering, delivering trustworthy results in Northbrook, OH. This testing method's inherent resistances to adulteration ensure the findings are authentic, crucial for compliance and safety in sensitive environments.
With extensive testing centers spread nationwide and locally in Northbrook, OH, accessing our services is straightforward. This network guarantees that clients can undergo testing conveniently and expediently, benefiting from hassle-free and efficient processes.
In Northbrook, OH, our hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering to collection and receiving results, each phase is designed to respect privacy while ensuring a seamless experience, addressing any confidentiality issues effectively.
Offering competitive pricing and timely results in Northbrook, OH, our hair follicle testing services provide excellent value. The rapid turnaround and affordability ensure that businesses of all sizes can incorporate reliable testing without compromising on quality or breaking their budgets.
Hair follicle drug tests deliver quick, precise, and reliable outcomes for residents of Northbrook, OH. The technology ensures high accuracy in detecting a wide range of substances, offering reassurance for employers and individuals alike. Clients can rely on swift process turnarounds without sacrificing the accuracy of results.
Implementing hair follicle drug tests in Northbrook, OH, helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It significantly reduces legal liabilities and enhances overall safety by accurately identifying substance use without vulnerability to manipulation.
