Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an efficient means to identify drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug consumption by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month window for identifying alcohol and drug presence. Hair collection is straightforward, posing little risk of tampering, and is convenient to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches comprising around 200 hair strands (equivalent to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and validation. For testing EtG, additional panels, and/or over 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unattainable, an equivalent amount of body hair is a viable alternative. The term head hair specifically denotes scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair categories (like facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four pivotal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab's system. It ensures that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening cost-effectively excludes drug usage in most cases, a positive screen must be confirmed to be legally valid. Samples that are suspected positive during Screening require secondary confirmation.
In cases where a sample is suspected positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the primary specimen for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most challenging method to conduct.
Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All presumptively positive samples undergo a washing process before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory journey from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strands and not the follicles under the scalp.
Why does hair follicle testing surpass urine testing in Rieth, OR? The benefits of hair testing overshadow traditional urine analysis with
In Rieth, OR, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, observing drug use for up to 90 days. This long-term detection provides a more complete view of an applicant or employee's substance use history, making it invaluable for employers.
Hair follicle tests in Rieth, OR stand out as a tamper-resistant testing method, considerably reducing the chances of sample adulteration. Such a reliable process ensures results remain unquestionable, strengthening trust in the testing outcomes.
Our convenient nationwide testing locations, including local sites in Rieth, OR, emphasize the ease and speed of accessing these services. With testing centers scattered across the country, receiving a hair follicle test is now quick and hassle-free.
In Rieth, OR, the hair follicle test follows a simple, confidential process. It ensures privacy at every step, from order to result, giving users peace of mind regarding their personal information while maintaining efficiency.
In Rieth, OR, our affordable pricing and fast turnaround make hair follicle testing accessible for companies of all sizes. Through competitive rates and prompt results, we deliver significant value and peace of mind.
In Rieth, OR, the precision of hair follicle drug tests means they consistently deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results. The
Employers in Rieth, OR can achieve compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free policies. This not only alleviates legal risks but also enhances workplace safety by maintaining a responsible environment.