Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within its growing strands, offering an extended overview of alcohol and drug history. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to about 3 months for alcohol and various drugs. Gathering hair is straightforward, somewhat hard to tamper with, and easy to mail.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches from about 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for evaluations and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair includes every other type of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four core steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial incorporation of a sample into the lab’s framework. This process verifies the correct sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry absent from the electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial brief assessment for drug misuse. Though Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screening must be validated to be court-acceptable. Any samples with a preliminary positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
If Screening suggests a sample is positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this process, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations than through other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug evaluation is the most complex method to undertake.
Confirmation of any positive screening result takes place via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests," the examination itself analyzes the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Coos Bay, OR, hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine tests by offering superior detection precision. While urine tests detect recent drug use, hair analyses provide a broader detection window, showcasing a more extensive history of substance use. This extensive accuracy and reliability grant stakeholders confidence in the results, helping maintain a drug-free environment more effectively.
Employers in Coos Bay, OR, can rely on hair follicle testing for a comprehensive view of an individual's drug history, extending up to a 90-day detection window. This prolonged period aids in thoroughly assessing potential or current employees, ensuring a safe workplace by understanding long-term substance patterns, transcending the limitations of short-term testing methods like urine tests.
Hair follicle testing in Coos Bay, OR, significantly diminishes tampering risks due to its sample collection nature. Hair samples are less prone to adulteration compared to alternative methods, ensuring authentic and trustworthy outcomes. This integrity in testing delivers peace of mind, guaranteeing that the results reflect true substance use, thereby upholding stringent testing standards.
With widespread testing centers, including in Coos Bay, OR, accessing hair follicle testing is convenient and straightforward. Our extensive nationwide network ensures quick and efficient service, eliminating logistical challenges. This ease of access streamlines the testing process, making it hassle-free for both employers and individuals.
In Coos Bay, OR, the process of hair follicle testing remains simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each stage prioritizes privacy and user-friendliness. This method alleviates concerns about discretion and complexity, ensuring that all parties involved can engage with the testing process with confidence and ease.
Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround in Coos Bay, OR, hair follicle testing is accessible for businesses of all sizes. This affordability coupled with quick results delivery provides excellent value, ensuring companies can maintain compliance and safety without excessive expenditure, thus enhancing operational efficiency.
Hair follicle testing in Coos Bay, OR, offers unparalleled speed and precision. This method provides highly accurate detection of substance use, benefiting both employers and individuals needing dependable results quickly. The high-quality assessments ensure the utmost reliability and swift processing, reducing lengthy waiting times and delivering prompt feedback essential for informed decision-making.
For Coos Bay, OR, employers, hair follicle testing ensures workplace policy compliance and peace of mind. It supports maintaining drug-free environments, reducing potential legal complications and increasing safety. By choosing hair testing, employers demonstrate commitment to regulatory compliance and the well-being of staff and clientele alike.
