Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now perceived as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands offer a prolonged record of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the hair's fibers as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair can furnish a detection window of up to around 90 days for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A segment measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferable quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-on tests, or tests surpassing 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advise checking the weight of the sample with a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" in this context refers solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (like facial or armpit hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for a drug test result encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s framework. This step confirms the sample is sealed and sent correctly, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplemental data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most samples, any sample with a positive result must be validated to hold up in legal settings. Samples turning out presumptively positive during Screening demand a subsequent confirmation process.
If Screening suggests a positive outcome, more hair is obtained from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are drawn from the hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva testing), which makes hair drug testing a highly complex method to execute.
Positive Screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positives receive a requisite wash before Confirmation. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests significantly in Waynesville, OH. While traditional urine tests are commonplace, hair tests are praised for their superior detection accuracy. Their reliability stems from a longer detection period and reduced risk of tampering, making them a preferred choice for comprehensive drug testing.
Employers in Waynesville, OH, find hair follicle testing beneficial for its extended detection window. Capable of revealing substance use up to 90 days prior, it offers an insightful look at an individual's behavioral patterns over time, proving invaluable in making informed hiring or monitoring decisions.
In Waynesville, OH, hair follicle tests stand out due to their tamper-resistant nature. The methodology involved drastically decreases the potential for sample adulteration, ensuring that the results are not only reliable but also beyond reproach, offering unparalleled confidence in test outcomes.
Convenience is epitomized with our nationwide and local testing centers in Waynesville, OH. Offering quick, hassle-free access to our testing services ensures that clients across locations receive efficient and stress-free testing experiences, tailored to their unique needs.
The process in Waynesville, OH, is simple and respectful of privacy. From ordering to completion and receiving of results, every step is designed to be confidential and user-friendly, addressing concerns and making the testing process seamless and efficient for all involved.
Waynesville, OH, benefits from our competitive pricing structures paired with rapid result turnaround times. These provide maximum value for businesses regardless of size, ensuring both cost-effectiveness and timely decision-making abilities in substance testing initiatives.
In Waynesville, OH, hair follicle drug tests deliver in terms of speed and accuracy. With expertly calibrated technology, these tests achieve high precision in detecting drug use, offering results that are both fast and reliably accurate. This makes them incredibly valuable for environments needing timely and trustworthy data on substance use.
Hair follicle testing in Waynesville, OH, provides employers with compliance and peace of mind. By adhering to drug-free workplace policies, these tests mitigate legal risks and enhance safety, fostering an environment where regulatory adherence and employee well-being are prioritized.
