Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive timeline of substance intake by embedding biomarkers within its growing fibers. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use for up to a 3-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to alter, and convenient for shipping.
A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg, an ideal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and comprehensive panels beyond 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unobtainable, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. The term head hair refers solely to scalp hair, while body hair pertains to all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The procedure for processing a drug test result in the laboratory consists of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the preliminary incorporation of a sample into a lab’s system. This process verifies proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and includes any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody protocol.
Screening involves a preliminary examination for substance abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive outcome requires confirmation for court viability. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate additional verification.
Upon a presumptive positive result in Screening, further extraction of hair from the original sample is conducted for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are isolated from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), accounting for the complexity of hair drug screening.
Verification of positive screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples initially testing positive undergo washing before verification as required. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited in accordance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests in Milwaukie, OR, reveals notable advantages in accuracy and reliability. Hair tests have a longer detection window and aren't easily manipulated, providing a clearer picture of substance use.
In contrast to urine tests, which can be tampered with and have a shorter detection period, hair follicle tests offer consistent results. This makes them the preferred method for those requiring stricter testing protocols.
Hair follicle tests in Milwaukie, OR, are unparalleled in their ability to detect drug use over an extended timeframe, offering insight into the past 90 days. Employers gain a comprehensive understanding of a candidate or employee's substance use history.
This extensive detection window, far exceeding that of traditional tests, ensures that foot-dragging individuals are accurately identified, thus supporting a safety-centric workplace environment.
One of the standout benefits of hair follicle testing in Milwaukie, OR, is its resistance to manipulation. Unlike other methods, this test profoundly limits the chance of sample tampering, offering indisputable results.
The integrity of the test ensures organizations and individuals can trust the outcomes, making it a vital tool for those requiring foolproof drug-use detection methods.
With Accredited Drug Testing, Milwaukie, OR, residents enjoy the ease of accessing testing centers nationwide. This widespread network ensures seamless and straightforward access to top-notch services.
The availability of local and nationwide testing sites ensures that individuals and companies can conveniently undertake tests without the hassle of extensive travel or waiting periods, enhancing user experience.
In Milwaukie, OR, the process for hair follicle testing is both straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy at every step. The ease of scheduling, testing, and receiving results is geared towards user convenience.
With a focus on confidentiality and simplicity, this process addresses privacy concerns, allowing individuals to undergo testing without unease and with complete confidence.
Milwaukie, OR, businesses benefit from competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle tests. This affordability, coupled with quick results, provides excellent value and confidence to companies of all sizes.
The pricing structure is designed to be budget-friendly, ensuring organizations can manage costs while maintaining high standards in workplace safety and compliance through prompt and precise testing.
In Milwaukie, OR, hair follicle testing stands out due to its precise and rapid results. This method offers high accuracy, making it an unparalleled choice for detecting substance use efficiently. With its refined technology, it's designed to provide fast outcomes while maintaining reliability.
Employers and organizations benefit from the dependable and swift analysis hair testing provides. Ensuring a prompt response, the service guarantees that test results are both correct and timely, minimizing wait times and facilitating informed decisions.
Employers in Milwaukie, OR, using hair follicle tests benefit from enhanced compliance with drug-free workplace mandates. By ensuring accurate and reliable drug testing, the legal risks are significantly reduced.
This method not only promotes a safer work environment but also contributes to peace of mind, knowing that regulations are upheld and substance use is managed effectively.