Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substances by incorporating biomarkers into the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat hard to contaminate, and convenient to ship.
A 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 strands of hair (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair refers to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary phases in processing a drug test in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is integrated into a laboratory’s system. This process ensures that the sample was sealed and forwarded correctly, attaches a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs a preliminary rapid evaluation for drug misuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed for it to be court-admissible. Samples that are initially positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If a sample is preliminarily positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the more challenging methods to execute.
Confirmation of a positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with preliminary positive results are washed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is monitored under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the certification to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the examination is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle itself.
When comparing hair follicle vs. urine testing in Welling, OK, hair tests provide superior advantages. While urine tests detect recent usage, hair analyses offer a broader history of consumption.
This longer timeframe for detection ensures better insights for critical decision-making processes, enhancing trust and reassurance in screening protocols.
The extended detection window in Welling, OK offered by hair follicle testing is unmatched, reaching up to 90 days. This expansive period enables employers to gain a thorough perspective on an individual's drug history, ensuring informed decisions.
One of the strongest features of hair follicle tests in Welling, OK is their tamper-resistant nature. Altering urine samples is, unfortunately, more feasible in some cases, while hair tests minimize these risks.
Secure, reliable, and nearly cheat-proof, they represent a trustworthy choice for any testing requirement.
Convenience is key for testing in Welling, OK, with nationwide testing locations readily available. Our strategically positioned centers enable easy access for all, facilitating a smooth testing process to meet any schedule.
Our process in Welling, OK is both simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns at every stage. Ordering, conducting, and obtaining results are designed with ease in mind, ensuring users' peace of mind.
Privacy and simplicity are paramount across all our services.
Affordability paired with fast turnaround in Welling, OK makes hair follicle drug testing appealing for businesses. Competitive pricing and swift results highlight our commitment to excellent value and reduced waiting periods.
This approach benefits companies of every size.
For fast, accurate, and reliable results in Welling, OK, hair follicle drug testing stands out. Utilizing advanced analytical techniques, it ensures precision in identifying various substances.
Employers find peace of mind and compliance in Welling, OK by utilizing hair follicle testing. Adhering to drug-free workplace policies becomes straightforward, significantly reducing potential legal complications.
Enhancing safety and compliance, hair testing is an invaluable asset for organizational well-being.