Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged record of substance intake by securing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When the sample is taken near the scalp, it can reveal a detection period extending up to around 90 days for both alcohol and drugs. The process of hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprised of roughly 200 strands and comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil, typically yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, and/or testing exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample is recommended. Should scalp hair be unobtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be substituted. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The drug testing procedure in laboratories encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During the Accessioning stage, the sample is initially processed and entered into the laboratory’s system. This step verifies proper sample sealing and shipping, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data input that an electronic chain of custody system might lack.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although screening is a cost-efficient method for excluding drug usage from most samples, samples with a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Presumptively positive samples in the Screening phase necessitate an additional confirmation step.
For samples identified as presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample for preparation in the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from the hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine, oral fluid), making hair drug examination the most challenging methodology to execute.
Any screening result requiring confirmation undergoes further analysis via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are cleansed as necessary before confirmation. The entire laboratory procedure, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often referred to as "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually investigates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle tests in Stafford, OR stand out for their detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing detects substance use over a longer period, providing a clearer substance history.
Employers in Stafford, OR benefit from hair follicle drug testing due to its extended detection window. This method covers up to 90 days of an individual's substance use history, offering a comprehensive review of past behaviors.
In Stafford, OR, hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant method that greatly reduces the risk of adulteration. By providing reliable and unquestionable results, this test proves essential in maintaining integrity.
With convenient testing centers, both nationwide and in Stafford, OR, we provide quick and easy access to testing services. This ensures a hassle-free process for testing needs.
Our hair follicle testing process in Stafford, OR is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease. The process is straightforward, from ordering to receiving results.
In Stafford, OR, our pricing structures for hair follicle testing are competitive, combined with fast turnaround times. We offer great value, ensuring peace of mind for companies of all sizes.
Hair follicle drug testing in Stafford, OR is known for its precision and speed. This method boasts high accuracy in identifying substance use, providing quick results that are dependable.
Using hair follicle testing in Stafford, OR helps employers ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It brings about peace of mind by reducing legal risks and fostering a safer working environment.
