Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has been recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides an extended history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the growing strands. When gathered near the scalp, the hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage over a period of roughly three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and it's convenient for transportation.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, or tests beyond 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. In contrast, body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes pending data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary quick check for substances of misuse. While Screening is a cost-effective way to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Any samples yielding a presumptive positive result during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If a specimen is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is retrieved from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
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
In Ione, OR, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests in several ways. While urine tests detect recent drug use, hair tests offer a broader detection window and higher reliability. Hair testing is less prone to manipulation, providing more accurate results. Employers value this dependability, especially for maintaining strict drug-free workplace policies.
Employers in Ione, OR, benefit from the extended detection window provided by hair follicle testing, reaching back up to 90 days. This timeframe offers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history, crucial for informed hiring and workforce management. It provides a comprehensive view unlike any other testing method available.
In Ione, OR, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant solution for drug testing needs. Unlike urine samples, which can be adulterated, hair samples remain untampered due to their unique collection process. This ensures the integrity of the results, providing reliable evidence of substance use that is nearly impossible to dispute.
With testing centers dispersed nationwide, and locally in Ione, OR, accessing hair follicle testing services is both convenient and efficient. Our extensive network facilitates easy, hassle-free testing, allowing individuals and employers to meet their requirements without unnecessary travel or delays.
The process of hair follicle testing in Ione, OR, is simple and confidential. From ordering tests to receiving results, every step is designed with privacy in mind, addressing concerns about confidentiality. This user-friendly approach ensures ease of use for all participants involved in the testing process.
Ione, OR, benefits from our affordable pricing structure and rapid turnaround times for hair follicle testing. Our competitive prices coupled with fast results deliver excellent value, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can enjoy peace of mind without compromising their financial resources.
Hair follicle tests in Ione, OR, offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. They detect substance use with a level of precision unmatched by other testing methods. Their speed ensures that employers receive critical information promptly, allowing for timely decision-making. The high accuracy of hair testing makes it a trusted choice for those needing definitive evidence of drug use.
For employers in Ione, OR, hair follicle testing provides compliance assurance with drug-free workplace regulations. This method mitigates legal risks by upholding rigorous testing standards, contributing to a safer work environment. Employers gain peace of mind knowing that their policies are supported by a reliable testing methodology.
