Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has become recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a detailed retrospective of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, considered the optimal quantity for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The principal stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab’s system. This process involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not supplied by an electronic custody chain system.
Screening entails an initial assessment for potential drugs of misuse. While Screening offers an economical approach to dismiss drug consumption for most samples, a positive screen must be affirmed to be permissible in legal proceedings. Samples presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample is deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a much more reduced concentration compared to other approaches (e.g., urine or oral fluid), illustrating why hair drug screening is among the more challenging methodologies.
Validation of any positive screening result occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure analyzes the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In Uniopolis, OH, hair follicle testing often outshines traditional urine testing by offering more accurate results and longer detection spans. Hair tests are difficult to manipulate and provide employers with critical insights into long-term substance use, thus ensuring reliable and precise employee evaluations.
Hair follicle tests can capture drug use over a substantial time frame, up to 90 days. This extended detection window offers a thorough understanding of a person's substance use history, making it an invaluable tool for employers in Uniopolis, OH, looking for a comprehensive assessment.
One of the significant advantages of hair follicle tests in Uniopolis, OH, is their resistance to tampering. By offering reliable and unquestionable results, these tests reduce the risk of altered samples, ensuring integrity and accuracy in drug testing processes.
With an extensive network of testing sites nationwide, including Uniopolis, OH, our testing services are easy to access. This widespread availability ensures that clients receive hassle-free and convenient drug testing services wherever they are located.
The process in Uniopolis, OH, for ordering, administering, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and confidential. Clients can trust that their privacy is upheld, alleviating concerns related to confidentiality and comfort.
Our testing in Uniopolis, OH, offers competitive pricing and quick test result turnaround times, ensuring great value for businesses of any scale. These advantages make hair follicle testing a cost-effective choice for comprehensive drug assessments.
The precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests ensure that results delivered in Uniopolis, OH, are both accurate and timely. With cutting-edge testing technology, clients can be confident that results reflect true substance use history, providing essential data for informed decision-making.
Employers in Uniopolis, OH, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, knowing that they are complying with drug-free workplace policies. This approach minimizes legal risks and enhances safety by ensuring a sober work environment.
