Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assessments have emerged as a significant means for identifying the usage of drugs and alcohol. Hair serves as a repository for a prolonged timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of roughly three months for alcohol and various drugs. Hair is convenient to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides a 100mg hair sample, which is the optimal amount for screening and validation. For EtG and additional tests extending beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest weighing the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is unobtainable, an equivalent volume of body hair may be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we are specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, including facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory process in analyzing a drug test result involves four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning covers the initial handling of a sample upon its entry into a laboratory's system. This step includes confirming the sample was adequately sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any additional data input absent from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening provides an initial swift assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening serves as an economical method to dismiss drug usage in many samples, any positive screen must be confirmed for legal acceptance. Samples yielding a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
Should a sample show presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at reduced concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug assessment the most challenging technique to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that demonstrate presumptive positivity undergo a wash before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is scrutinized in accordance with both 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 analysis itself focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Avery, OK, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests with superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests offer a longer detection period, making it difficult to miss any substance use history. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests are less prone to tampering, providing confidence in their results and ensuring robust compliance with zero-tolerance policies.
Hair follicle testing in Avery, OK extends the detection window, uncovering substance use for up to 90 days. This comprehensive overview of an individual's substance history is invaluable for employers, offering insights into the long-term habits of employees or candidates, serving as a powerful tool in maintaining a drug-free workplace.
In Avery, OK, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests provides unparalleled accuracy. Unlike other methods, hair samples are much harder to adulterate, ensuring results remain reliable and unquestionable. This level of security greatly reduces any chance of sample manipulation, maintaining the integrity of the testing process.
With convenient testing locations nationwide, including Avery, OK, accessing drug testing services has never been easier. Accredited Drug Testing provides quick, easy, and hassle-free solutions with local availability, ensuring seamless service for all clients, regardless of their location.
In Avery, OK, the process of hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, each step is designed to protect privacy and ensure ease of use. Clients can trust that their information remains private, allowing for stress-free testing experiences.
Offering competitive pricing and quick turnaround in Avery, OK, Accredited Drug Testing delivers excellent value. Companies of all sizes benefit from affordable hair follicle tests, providing assurance and financial peace of mind through cost-effective and timely results.
When it comes to fast, accurate, and reliable drug testing in Avery, OK, hair follicle analysis stands out for its precision. This method ensures high accuracy in detecting substance use over traditional approaches. The efficiency of this testing process means results are delivered promptly, allowing for swift decision-making in critical situations.
Hair follicle testing in Avery, OK ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, providing employers with peace of mind. By minimizing legal risks and enhancing safety standards, businesses can foster a secure and compliant environment, which is vital in today's work settings.