Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair can preserve a prolonged history of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of approximately three months for alcohol and drug usage. Collection is straightforward, it's relatively hard to tamper with, and shipping is hassle-free.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or analyses involving more than 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When mention is made of head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other kinds of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The core steps in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the introductory phase where a sample is integrated into a laboratory's system. This step involves checking that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any additional data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid review for substances of abuse. While Screening provides a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use on numerous samples, a positive screen needs confirmation to be valid in court. Samples that suggest potential positivity during Screening demand a secondary validation.
Should a sample seem positive during the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those in other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), accounting for the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive Screening results is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating potential positivity are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized 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: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the process evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle versus urine testing, hair tests emerge superior especially in Oceola, OH.
Hair follicle testing offers a substantial detection window in Oceola, OH. Drugs can be detected as far back as 90 days. This allows employers to gain a comprehensive view of an individual's substance usage history, aiding informed decision-making.
In Oceola, OH, hair follicle testing is renowned for its tamper-resistant nature. The method significantly minimizes the chance of test adulteration, offering unquestionable results and reducing doubts about the authenticity of samples.
Convenience is key when accessing testing services in Oceola, OH. Our vast network of nationwide testing centers allows quick and easy access to services, minimizing the hassle while ensuring prompt testing availability.
Simplicity and confidentiality define the process of hair follicle testing in Oceola, OH.
In Oceola, OH, our hair testing options are both affordable and expedient, with competitive pricing and swift result dissemination.
The precision and speed of hair follicle testing in Oceola, OH are second to none.
For employers in Oceola, OH, incorporating hair follicle tests ensures compliance with drug-free policies. This reduces legal liabilities and boosts workplace safety.
