Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Utilizing hair examinations has become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair carries an extended record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. When retrieved near the scalp, hair can offer up to a three-month surveillance timeframe for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat hard to tamper with, and convenient to dispatch.
Collecting a 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 hair strands (roughly equaling the girth of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal portion for both screening and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, or examinations beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it is in reference to scalp hair solely. Body hair pertains to all non-scalp hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test outcome mainly involves four phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial introduction of a specimen into a laboratory framework. This encompasses confirming that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and finalizing any supplementary data input not acquired through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary rapid test for abusive substances. While Screening is a budget-friendly approach to discount drug consumption for the majority of samples, any positive screen must undergo confirmation to be permissible in court. Samples indicating presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
If a specimen is found presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample to prepare for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Hair designation and holds accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often referred to as "hair follicle tests," the actual analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In West Alexandria, OH, hair follicle testing replaces traditional urine tests by offering greater detection sensitivity. Hair tests identify drug use over a longer period with reliability and accuracy, making them the preferred choice for many organizations.
With a detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in West Alexandria, OH, provides employers with a thorough view of an individual's substance history. This extended period allows for a clearer assessment of patterns and habits.
Hair follicle tests offer a robust defense against sample tampering in West Alexandria, OH. Their resistant nature enhances result reliability, ensuring trustworthy outcomes that stand against manipulation attempts.
Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide makes accessing hair follicle drug testing easy and convenient in West Alexandria, OH. Enjoy the benefits of a streamlined process close to home or anywhere you travel.
In West Alexandria, OH, our hair testing process is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to receiving results, each step prioritizes privacy and user friendliness, ensuring a stress-free experience.
Affordable pricing and rapid turnaround set our hair follicle testing apart in West Alexandria, OH. Businesses benefit from competitive rates, gaining value without sacrificing speed or accuracy.
Speed and accuracy define hair follicle drug testing in West Alexandria, OH. These tests provide unmatched precision in identifying substance use, eliminating uncertainty in results. Experience the rapid turnaround that keeps the process moving efficiently.
Employers in West Alexandria, OH, gain peace of mind knowing that hair follicle testing supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This testing bolsters safety and reduces legal liability, safeguarding organizational interests.
