Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective means of detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of these substances by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. Collected near the scalp, it can indicate alcohol and drug use over roughly a 3-month span. It's straightforward to collect, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising roughly 200 strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional screenings, and extensive panel tests above 10, 150mg is the advised amount. Use a jeweler’s scale to measure. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, similar quantities of body hair can be used. "Head hair" denotes only scalp hair. "Body hair" covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The procedure for lab processing of a drug test includes four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial stage of incorporating a sample into a lab's framework. This step verifies the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes with any remaining data entry that the electronic custody system hasn't completed.
Screening gives a preliminary assessment for drug use. While it efficiently rules out drug consumption for most samples, any positive results from this stage must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Presumptively positive samples here lead to a secondary confirmation.
Upon a presumptive positive indication during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than methods like urine or oral fluid testing, making hair drug screening particularly challenging.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS procedures confirm any positive Screening outcomes. Samples testing presumptively positive undergo washing before Confirmation, as necessary. Each laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is cross-referenced under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) guidelines and conformity with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often labelled as "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Pin Oak Acres, OK, the advantages are clear. Hair tests produce superior detection accuracy and reliability, making them a preferred choice for many settings. Unlike urine tests, hair testing captures a wider range of drug use history, providing a more comprehensive picture.
In Pin Oak Acres, OK, hair follicle testing is prized for its extended detection window, providing a thorough analysis of substance use over the past 90 days. This makes it a powerful tool for employers seeking detailed historical usage data.
Hair follicle tests in Pin Oak Acres, OK, are a favored option due to their tamper-resistant nature, drastically reducing opportunities for cheating. This guarantees unquestionable results for employers and agencies.
With our conveniently located centers both nationwide and in Pin Oak Acres, OK, drug testing becomes hassle-free and user-friendly. Enjoy quick and effortless access to testing services, saving time and minimizing disruptions.
The process of ordering and performing hair follicle tests in Pin Oak Acres, OK is both simple and confidential. Addressing concerns of privacy and efficiency, this procedure ensures ease of use while maintaining confidentiality.
Pin Oak Acres, OK, benefits from affordable pricing structures and fast turnaround times in hair follicle testing, making this service an outstanding value for organizations of varying sizes.
In Pin Oak Acres, OK, hair follicle testing offers rapid and precise results, making it an ideal choice for detecting substance use. Speed and accuracy are hallmarks of this testing method, providing reliable outcomes swiftly, ensuring timely decisions and interventions.
Employers in Pin Oak Acres, OK, find hair follicle testing offers peace of mind through compliance assurance with drug-free workplace policies. This helps in minimizing legal risks and enriching workplace safety standards.