Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has evolved as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the strands as it grows, providing an extended history of alcohol and drug use. When collected near the scalp, it can reveal information about alcohol and drug consumption over an approximately 3-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, with little risk of tampering, and is convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 strands of hair (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100mg, an optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or panels exceeding 10 tests, 150mg of sample is advised. We propose measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is missing, an equivalent amount of body hair may be retrieved. By head hair, we mean scalp hair, while body hair includes other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four critical phases in laboratory analysis for a drug test result encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the preliminary handling of a specimen into the laboratory's system. Steps involve ensuring the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening performs a preliminary rapid assessment for drug abuse. While cost-effective for excluding drug usage in most cases, a positive screen must be validated to be considered acceptable legally. Samples identified as presumptively positive during Screening need further verification.
Should a specimen show a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is drawn from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluids), making hair drug testing a challenging process.
Confirmation of any positive screen is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleansed if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes assessment under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in Banks, OR by offering increased accuracy and reliability. This method stands out as an effective way to detect drug use
Hair testing provides an extended detection window, identifying drug use over a 90-day period. This offers Employers in Banks, OR a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history.
Hair follicle testing in Banks, OR, reduces sample adulteration risks, ensuring reliable results. It is a tamper-resistant method, providing unquestionable outcomes.
With testing centers nationwide and local options in Banks, OR, accessing drug testing services is convenient and hassle-free.
Hair follicle testing in Banks, OR is simple and confidential, making the process of ordering, taking, and receiving results straightforward, while ensuring privacy.
Competitive pricing and quick turnaround times in Banks, OR, offer value for companies of all sizes opting for hair follicle testing.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests offer a significant advantage in Banks, OR. These tests are highly accurate, reliably detecting substance use.
In Banks, OR, hair follicle testing promotes compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks and enhancing safety. Employers can achieve peace of mind.
