Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers in the strands of hair as it grows. When clipped near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use across a span of roughly three months. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and transport is convenient.
A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields about 100mg, making it an optimal sample for testing and verification. For EtG, additional analyses, and evaluations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of a sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing is recommended. If no scalp hair is present, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result comprises Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening checks promptly for drug abuse indicators. It is an economical way to exclude drug use in most samples; however, any positive screen must be confirmed to be legally valid. Samples testing presumptively positive during Screening will require additional confirmation.
In cases where a sample shows a presumptive positive in Screening, more hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration compared to other techniques like urine or oral fluid, which is why hair drug analysis is considered the most challenging technique to execute.
Confirming any positive screening outcome is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is overseen under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", they actually analyze the strand of hair, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Cedar Valley, OK, hair follicle testing is a superior alternative to urine tests, known for its higher accuracy and dependability. These tests are significantly more effective in identifying drugs over a more extended period. While urine tests might miss certain timeframes, hair tests provide a robust solution by offering a wide detection scope.
Cedar Valley, OK benefits from hair follicle testing due to its extended detection window, recognizing drug use over 90 days. This capability allows employers a detailed insight into an individual's past substance activities, helping to ensure a well-informed decision process when hiring or evaluating staff.
In Cedar Valley, OK, hair follicle tests are distinguished by their resilience to tampering. With the reduced possibility of sample adulteration, these tests offer results that are both credible and indisputable, providing assurance in their dependability and accuracy, essential for maintaining integrity in testing procedures.
Boasting convenience, our testing centers across the nation include local options in Cedar Valley, OK, offering seamless access to services. Whether seeking quick or hassle-free testing processes, our wide network of centers ensures clients enjoy both speed and comfort during their testing experience.
The hair follicle testing process in Cedar Valley, OK, is designed to be easy and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, each step is straightforward and focuses on maintaining privacy and user-friendliness, addressing any concerns regarding confidentiality or complexity.
In Cedar Valley, OK, our hair follicle testing services stand out for reasonable pricing and swift results. Our competitive rate structure and quick turnaround offer substantial value and assurance to businesses of varying sizes, building trust and demonstrating our commitment to affordability and efficiency.
In Cedar Valley, OK, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, precise, and trustworthy outcomes. These tests are known for their high accuracy in identifying substance use, setting the standard for reliability in the field of drug testing. The method guarantees that results are not only rapid but also greatly dependable due to its meticulous analysis process.
For employers in Cedar Valley, OK, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This testing method not only lowers legal liabilities but also promotes a secure and safe working environment, offering peace of mind related to both compliance and employee welfare.
