Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Seen as a robust tool for spotting alcohol and drug use, hair testing offers extended-term insight by capturing biomarkers within hair fibers as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, it can reveal up to roughly a 90-day timeframe for drug and alcohol use detection. Hair is easy to collect, not easy to tamper with, and straightforward to send.
Obtaining a 1.5-inch sample near the scalp, around 200 hair strands thick (comparable to a #2 pencil), results in 100mg, which is an optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, it’s advisable to use 150mg. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement is recommended. Alternatively, if scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When we discuss head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test laboratory processing comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is about integrating the initial sample into a lab’s system, including verifying the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and entering any additional data that isn’t provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drug presence. Though cost-effective for discounting drug use in most samples, positive screenings must be confirmed for court acceptance. Presumptive positives from Screening require an additional confirmation step.
For any presumptive positive screens during the Screening step, additional hair is selected from the original collection for Extraction. This step entails extracting drugs from hair at much lower levels than other methods such as urine or oral fluid, explaining the complexity in hair drug testing.
Confirmation of any detected positive in Screening is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation standards ISO / IEC 17025.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly named "hair follicle tests", these tests actually assess the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Crystal, OK
Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests with superior detection reliability. Unlike urine tests that cover a shorter span, hair tests provide an extensive overview, thereby offering unbeatable accuracy and dependability.
Extended Detection Window in Crystal, OK
Employers benefit from hair follicle testing's long detection period, which can track drug use up to 90 days. This extended window offers insight into an individual's substance use history, ensuring informed decision-making.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Crystal, OK
Hair follicle tests significantly limit the potential for sample tampering. Their design makes tampering virtually impossible, guaranteeing results that are credible and trustworthy, essential for organizations seeking accurate data.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Crystal, OK
Our extensive network of testing centers across the nation makes access easy and hassle-free. Whether in Crystal, Oklahoma or elsewhere, our facilities are strategically placed for convenience.
Simple, Confidential Process in Crystal, OK
The hair follicle testing process is straightforward and private. Ordering, conducting, and receiving results are seamless, ensuring user confidentiality and confidence in the process.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Crystal, OK
We underscore our competitive pricing and rapid result times, delivering both cost-effectiveness and timely information to businesses of every size.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Crystal, OK
Hair follicle tests stand out for their quick turnaround and precision, providing unparalleled accuracy in detecting substance consumption. The method ensures that results are both swift and dependable, bolstering trust in the testing process.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Crystal, OK
Incorporating hair follicle testing allows employers to meet drug-free workplace requirements. It minimizes legal hazards and strengthens workplace safety, providing peace of mind for businesses committed to compliance.
