Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a repository, holding onto biomarkers within the fibers of the emerging hair strand, providing a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use. Gathering hair near the scalp allows for a detection range of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is considered the perfect sample for both screening and confirmation. For tests including EtG, additional panels, or those exceeding 10 panels, it’s advised to use 150mg of the sample. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary phases in the laboratory analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a sample within a laboratory’s system. This process ensures that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a randomized LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any further data entry that an electronic chain of custody system may not provide.
Screening serves as an initial swift assessment for drug abuse. Even though Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be legally valid in court. Any samples that show presumptive positive results during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample return a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for preparation during the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are retrieved from the hair at considerably lower concentrations than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), marking hair drug screening as the most challenging method to perform.
Confirmation of any positive screening results is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples with presumptive positive results are washed as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory chain from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the guidelines of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis centers on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing is favored over urine testing because it offers superior detection and accuracy in Mapleton, OR. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests provide an extensive view of substance use, reaching back up to 90 days.
Extended detection window is a notable benefit of hair follicle testing in Mapleton, OR, with the capability to identify drug use over an extended period of up to 90 days. This gives employers invaluable insights into an individual's substance use history, a luxury urine tests cannot afford. The test's efficiency in detecting lengthy histories makes it a preferred choice for thorough substance use evaluations in the area.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Mapleton, OR, virtually eliminates the chances of sample adulteration. Guaranteeing reliable results, this method showcases its superiority by maintaining integrity throughout the testing process.
Convenient nationwide testing centers, including those in Mapleton, OR, offer quick and hassle-free hair follicle drug testing services. This network ensures that individuals have easy access to reliable testing solutions no matter where they are.
The simple and confidential process of hair follicle drug testing in Mapleton, OR emphasizes user-friendly and privacy-centered steps. Clients experience ease and reassurance at every stage, from ordering the test to receiving results.
Mapleton, OR benefits from affordable pricing and swift results through our efficient hair follicle drug testing services. The competitive pricing ensures excellent value, while the quick turnaround time supports timely decision-making.
In Mapleton, OR, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its fast and precise results. The advanced techniques used are capable of identifying substance use accurately, providing dependable results quickly. Speed and accuracy are unmatched when it comes to detecting a wide range of substances, saving valuable time while ensuring the results are trustworthy. This process, unmatched by quicker tests, caters to Mapleton's residents by allowing reliable insight.
Hair follicle testing allows Mapleton, OR employers to maintain compliance and peace of mind with workplace drug-free policies. Through this method, organizations reduce legal risks and promote a safer work environment.