Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective method for identifying the use of substances like drugs and alcohol. Hair captures extended histories of drug and alcohol consumption by incorporating biomarkers into the strands of hair as they grow. Samples gathered near the scalp can reveal alcohol and drug use over an estimated duration of three months. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easily transportable.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample size for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, add-on tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is advisable. It's suggested to utilize a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparably sized sample of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other bodily hair types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary laboratory processes for deriving a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial process of logging a sample into a laboratory’s system. This encompasses confirming that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any supplementary data entry not completed by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial cursory examination for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal acceptance. Any samples yielding a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further validation.
If a sample results in a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. This step involves isolating drugs at considerably lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to execute.
Verification of positive screening results is completed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive sample undergoes a wash before Confirmation as needed. The comprehensive laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle situated beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Redbird Smith, OK Hair testing outperforms traditional urine tests, offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Its ability to trace substance use over extended periods makes it ideal for thorough assessments, catching false negatives prevalent in urine tests.
Extended Detection Window in Redbird Smith, OK Hair follicle testing uncovers drug use over a prolonged period, often detecting substances up to 90 days past, giving employers a detailed overview of candidates’ or employees’ substance histories, far surpassing shorter spans of urine tests.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Redbird Smith, OK Hair follicle tests substantially mitigate sample adulteration risks, providing dependable results beyond reproach. The observed collection process minimizes manipulation attempts common in traditional testing methods.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Redbird Smith, OK Our extensive network of testing centers offers effortless access, ensuring quick, straightforward, and stress-free drug testing services in Redbird Smith and beyond.
Simple, Confidential Process in Redbird Smith, OK The hair follicle testing process is both straightforward and confidential, facilitating easy ordering, sampling, and result retrieval, addressing privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Redbird Smith, OK Our competitive pricing and swift result delivery provide exceptional value, catering to businesses of varying sizes, ensuring peace of mind with prompt service.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Redbird Smith, OK Hair follicle drug tests deliver results with remarkable precision and speed, ensuring high accuracy in identifying substance use. This testing methodology employs advanced techniques to provide rapid outcomes, helping employers make swift and informed human resources decisions.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Redbird Smith, OK Utilizing hair follicle testing, employers can align with drug-free workplace policies, curtail legal liabilities, and bolster workplace safety. This method guarantees comprehensive compliance while promoting a secure work environment.
