Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the hair's fibers as it grows. When samples are taken near the scalp, they can offer a detection window of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is suggested to weigh the hair sample using a jeweler's scale. If there is no scalp hair available, a similar amount of body hair may be obtained. When mentioning head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (such as facial or armpit hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial processing of a sample within a lab's system. This involves confirming the sample was properly sealed and transported, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handling any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary fast assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed to be considered valid in court. Samples that test positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.
If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen for preparation in the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug analysis the most challenging to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screen is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Gerty, OK, offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. With superior detection accuracy, these tests provide reliable results, capturing a wider range of substances. This testing method serves as an integral tool for organizations promoting a drug-free environment.
One of the key benefits of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window, particularly in Gerty, OK. This method can identify drug use over a period of up to 90 days, offering employers a broader view of an individual’s substance history and aiding in informed decision-making.
Hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant method, significantly minimizing the risk of adulteration. In Gerty, OK, this ensures that test results are trustworthy, providing stakeholders with confidence in the integrity of the outcomes.
With convenient nationwide testing locations, including local centers in Gerty, OK, access to our services is quick and hassle-free. This extensive network makes drug testing readily accessible, supporting businesses in maintaining compliance effortlessly.
The process of hair follicle testing in Gerty, OK is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step is designed to protect privacy and ensure ease of use, addressing common concerns regarding drug testing procedures.
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in Gerty, OK, hair follicle testing provides excellent value. Our competitive rates and quick results allow companies of all sizes to manage their testing needs efficiently while maintaining budgetary constraints.
In Gerty, OK, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their fast and accurate results. The technology behind these tests allows for swift detection of substances, ensuring employers and authorities have the information they need promptly. The precision of this testing method is unmatched, setting a high standard for drug screening.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Gerty, OK aids in ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It reduces legal risks and enhances safety by providing a reliable method to detect substance use, facilitating a secure work environment.