Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair holds a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand fibers. When collected close to the scalp, hair offers a detection window of up to around three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 hair strands (about the dimension of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, equates to 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or assays over 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a similar amount of body hair may be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step includes confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary quick check for the presence of drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective method to rule out drug use in most cases, a positive screen must be verified for court admissibility. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.
If a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methodologies (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to perform.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed 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: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Rockbridge, OH, hair follicle testing far surpasses traditional urine tests in detecting drugs, offering superior accuracy. Unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period, hair tests capture substance use history up to 90 days, providing a comprehensive overview.
Employers and organizations benefit from the unparalleled reliability of hair testing over urine testing. Dependable detection ensures informed decisions and a safer environment by accurately verifying substance abstinence over an extended timeframe.
Employers in Rockbridge, OH gain unmatched insight with hair follicle testing. Its extended detection window of up to 90 days uncovers a comprehensive substance history, revealing trends of drug use effectively.
Unlike short-term tests, hair follicle testing gives an employer deep insight into an individual's substance history, offering a broader picture of drug habits. This information ensures informed hiring decisions, promoting a safer workplace.
Hair follicle testing in Rockbridge, OH offers a significant advantage: its resistance to tampering. The method ensures accurate and reliable results, as it is far less susceptible to adulteration compared to other testing methods.
Guarding against potential sample manipulation, hair follicle tests provide trustworthy results that uphold integrity, greatly benefiting organizations that prioritize credibility and verification in their drug testing protocols.
With numerous testing centers nationwide, especially in Rockbridge, OH, convenience for individuals requiring tests is unparalleled. The extensive network of testing facilities ensures services are readily accessible and hassle-free.
Local Rockbridge residents find convenience in testing, with easy access to services across various locations nationwide, ensuring drug testing is a seamless, stress-free process for everyone involved.
The process for hair follicle testing in Rockbridge, OH is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, sampling, and receiving results are streamlined to maintain privacy and ease for users.
Individuals and businesses in Rockbridge appreciate the simplicity and confidentiality in hair testing, ensuring that privacy concerns are addressed while maintaining efficient processes from start to finish.
In Rockbridge, OH, competitive pricing for hair follicle tests complements swift turnaround times. Organizations receive excellent value, ensuring financial flexibility while benefiting from robust drug testing strategies.
Economical pricing paired with fast, reliable results makes hair testing in Rockbridge attractive to companies of varying sizes. The affordable structure supports businesses aiming for comprehensive substance monitoring strategies.
Hair tests in Rockbridge, OH offer fast, precise results, providing accurate insights into substance usage. Their reliability for detecting various drugs is unparalleled, greatly benefiting both employers and individuals who require dependable testing outcomes.
With advanced technology backing the procedure, hair follicle tests maintain accuracy while delivering swift, reliable results. This assurance aids individuals and organizations in making informed decisions swiftly, validated by robust evidence.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Rockbridge, OH ensures strict adherence to drug-free workplace policies. By demonstrating zero tolerance, employers enhance trust, mitigate legal risks, and bolster overall safety.
Employers who prioritize compliance gain peace of mind, knowing their drug testing regimes are robust and ensure a safe, productive environment. This testing upholds legal standards while safeguarding the company's reputation.