Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The composition of hair allows it to retain biomarkers from drugs and alcohol over time, capturing these within the strands as they grow. By obtaining samples near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and various drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, less prone to tampering, and convenient for transport.
A section of hair that is 1.5 inches in length, consisting of approximately 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil), sourced nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg, which is an optimal amount for testing and confirmation. In cases of EtG testing, additional tests, or assessments beyond 10 panels, a specimen amount of 150mg is advisable. It's best to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent volume of body hair serves as a substitute. The term head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
There are four primary phases in the laboratory processing of drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In the Accessioning phase, the sample undergoes initial processing into the laboratory’s records. This step involves checking if the sample remained sealed and was sent correctly, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) randomly, and fulfilling any additional data input omitted by an electronic chain of custody setup.
Screening serves as the preliminary assessment for drug presence. Though cost-effective for eliminating the presence of drugs in most samples, positive preliminary results must be substantiated for court acceptability. Samples with presumptive positive results during Screening require further confirmation.
Should a sample show presumptive positivity during Screening, more hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drug substances are drawn out of the hair at notably lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral samples), establishing hair drug testing as a more complex methodology.
For Confirmation of any positive screening results, techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. Before Confirmation, all samples with preliminary positive results undergo washing as necessary. The entire laboratory workflow, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is assessed under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 requirements.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Kings Valley, OR, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by offering enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests can detect recent drug use, hair tests reveal prolonged substance use history. This characteristic enables hair testing to better reflect an individual's long-term drug use patterns, providing invaluable insights for employers.
Employers in Kings Valley, OR benefit from hair follicle testing's ability to detect drug use over an impressive span of up to 90 days. This extended detection window helps organizations gain a holistic view of an individual's substance use, impacting crucial hiring and workplace decisions.
The inherent tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle drug tests provides unmatched sample integrity in Kings Valley, OR. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests are difficult to manipulate or adulterate, ensuring employers and organizations receive reliable, unquestionable results that underpin their decision-making processes.
With numerous nationwide testing centers and local facilities in Kings Valley, OR, getting drug-tested has never been more convenient. Our geographically dispersed locations ensure accessibility, making the entire process quick and hassle-free for individuals seeking reliable testing services showcasing our commitment to client satisfaction.
In Kings Valley, OR, our hair follicle testing process prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality. Clients benefit from a straightforward procedure for ordering tests, collecting samples, and receiving results. Such a streamlined approach addresses privacy concerns while ensuring the whole experience remains efficient and user-friendly.
Our competitive pricing structures ensure affordability for hair follicle testing services in Kings Valley, OR. Coupled with fast turnaround times, we offer exceptional value for businesses of varying sizes, enhancing decision-making processes and fostering a trust-based relationship with our clients.
When it comes to swift and precise outcomes, hair follicle drug tests in Kings Valley, OR stand out. These tests leverage robust technology to deliver high accuracy levels in detecting substance usage. Clients benefit from fast processing times that ensure they receive reliable results without delay, making them a preferred choice for many.
For Kings Valley, OR businesses, hair follicle testing plays a crucial role in maintaining a compliant, drug-free workplace. By ensuring adherence to workplace policies, these tests mitigate legal risks and promote a safer environment, bringing employers peace of mind and confidence in their workforce management strategies.
