Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair screening is now regarded as a formidable method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair serves as a time-extended record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the developing hair fiber. A sample collected close to the scalp can offer a detection period of nearly three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient for shipping.
A hair strand sample of 1.5 inches representing around 200 strands (approximately matching a #2 pencil's thickness) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. The term head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair covers all other hair forms (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test result processing in the laboratory involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the sample's initial integration into a laboratory's system, ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data entry not present in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers a preliminary rapid check for substance abuse drugs. Though Screening is an affordable means to exclude drug consumption for most samples, a positive result from Screening necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening need additional verification.
For samples indicating a tentative positive during Screening, further hair is extracted from the primary specimen and readied for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are drawn out from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in alternative methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to administer.
Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples that are presumably positive are cleaned before confirmation as required. The whole laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the certification to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination itself is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests, one notices the superior accuracy and reliability of the former. Hair testing in Pierce, OK, ensures a broader detection window, identifying substance use woven over timeframes that urine tests may miss.
Superior Detection: Hair tests offer unmatched accuracy, reliably catching long-term substance use that could evade the detection capabilities of urine analysis.
Extended Detection Window: In Pierce, OK, hair follicle testing offers a significant detection window of up to 90 days. This allows employers to view a comprehensive history of an individual's substance use, providing deeper insights into their behaviors.
The extended timeframe of test analysis surpasses other methods, revealing patterns unseen through shorter-range tests, helping make more informed decisions.
Hair follicle tests implemented in Pierce, OK, offer a unique tamper-resistant method that significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration. The collection process is observed, adding a layer of security and ensuring that test results are credible.
Such integrity in testing provides confidence in the results, as attempts at deception through sample manipulation become nearly impossible.
With testing centers located nationwide, including in Pierce, OK, access to hair follicle testing is simple and convenient. Employees and applicants benefit from readily available facilities, minimizing travel time and logistical concerns.
This extensive network ensures hassle-free access for individuals needing quick and easy testing arrangements.
Hair follicle testing in Pierce, OK, offers a simple and confidential process from initial order placement to result reception. This end-to-end solution respects privacy whilst providing ease of use.
Streamlined and discreet, this approach ensures user data is handled with care, building trust in the testing process.
Our competitive pricing in Pierce, OK, reinforces the appeal of hair follicle testing with an affordable pricing structure. Fast turnaround times complement this affordability, offering excellent value.
Businesses of all sizes benefit from cost-effective measures, ensuring high-quality testing without financial strain, visiting satisfaction on both sides.
In Pierce, OK, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for delivering swift and precise results. Their high accuracy in substance detection surpasses many traditional methods, offering reliable outcomes. Waiting times are minimal, ensuring rapid feedback action for decision-making purposes.
Accurate and Reliable, these tests detect various substances efficiently and quickly, allowing organizations to maintain safety and uphold policies effectively.
The implementation of hair follicle testing in Pierce, OK, ensures compliance with workplace drug policies, enhancing peace of mind for employers. This method reduces legal liabilities and promotes a safe working environment, adhering to industry regulations.
Employer Benefits: Utilizing such testing reinforces drug-free policies effectively, thereby fortifying workplace safety and operational integrity.