Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a longitudinal record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strands as they grow. When samples are harvested near the scalp, they can offer a detection timeline of up to three months for alcohol and substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair segment consisting of roughly 200 strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is preferable. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. Reference to head hair pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other forms of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in processing a drug testing result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning incorporates the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab's system. This phase ensures the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. While screening is a cost-efficient way to negate drug use in most samples, a positive result must be verified to be legally valid. Any sample indicating a presumptive positive during screening necessitates further confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction process. This phase involves extracting substances from hair at concentrations much lower than other methods like urine or oral fluid, which makes hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening finds is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Every presumptive positive sample is pre-washed before confirmation if required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited under the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the testing is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Grandview, OK, hair follicle testing stands out for its superior advantages over urine tests. Hair tests provide a broader detection window and are harder to evade, offering significant benefits for employers. Their reliability and accuracy in detecting long-term substance use give companies in Grandview a more comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use history, surpassing the constraints of urine testing methods.
The extended detection window of hair follicle tests gives employers in Grandview, OK, a detailed retrospective on substance use, typically covering up to 90 days. This extended insight allows employers to better assess and evaluate an applicant's or employee's substance history, providing assurance and detailed background checks that are not achievable with shorter detection periods of other methods like urine testing.
Hair follicle testing in Grandview, OK, ensures a robust defense against tampering. Its method significantly minimizes the likelihood of sample adulteration, offering a testing outcome that is trustworthy and verifiable. This secure approach guarantees that results remain uncompromised and reliable, ensuring credibility and consistency in outcomes for drug-use evaluations.
Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide network, including local locations in Grandview, OK, ensures convenient access to hair follicle testing services. This widespread availability allows individuals and employers alike to access testing locations quickly and without hassle, improving the testing experience with minimal inconvenience. This accessibility is key to prompt and efficient drug testing procedures.
The process of hair follicle testing in Grandview, OK, is designed to be simple and confidential. From scheduling the test to receiving the results, each step prioritizes privacy and user-friendliness. Clients can trust that their personal information is safeguarded throughout the process, providing a seamless and discreet experience from start to finish.
Offering affordable pricing and rapid turnaround, hair follicle testing in Grandview, OK, is accessible to companies of all sizes. Competitive pricing structures provide excellent value without compromising on quality and speed. This economical approach ensures that organizations can conduct necessary testing without straining their budgets, receiving quick outcomes that drive informed decision-making.
In Grandview, OK, hair follicle testing offers fast, accurate, and reliable detection of substance use. Its precision ensures that substance abuse is recognized promptly, allowing for swift action. Employers trust its swift turnaround and unparalleled accuracy when making critical employment decisions. The process swiftly provides peace of mind, delivering prompt results without compromising reliability.
For employers in Grandview, OK, hair follicle testing supports stringent drug-free workplace policies, offering a pathway to compliance and peace of mind. By utilizing hair testing, organizations can mitigate legal risks while enhancing workplace safety. This method ensures adherence to regulations and helps maintain an environment free from substance misuse.
