Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Over time, hair testing has gained recognition as an effective means for detecting substance use, including drugs and alcohol. Hair serves as a repository, preserving a timeline of substance intake by capturing biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When hair is clipped near the scalp, it provides an approximate three-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Its collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and it is easy to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness), near the scalp yields 100mg, the prime amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for weighing. If scalp hair is absent, a similar quantity of body hair can be obtained. The term 'head hair' pertains only to scalp hair, while 'body hair' encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in the lab analysis of a drug test: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning represents the first phase where a sample is processed into the lab's system. This step confirms the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and involves additional data entry beyond what's provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
During Screening, a preliminary check is conducted for drugs of abuse. Although it is a cost-effective method to screen out drug use in most specimens, any positive findings in the Screening phase require corroboration for legal admissibility. Presumptive positives identified require a follow-up confirmation.
When presumptive positives emerge in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in methods like urine or oral fluid tests, making hair drug screening particularly challenging.
The Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The full laboratory procedure, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the examination focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why does hair follicle testing outshine urine testing in Westfir, OR? The primary benefit is the superior detection accuracy hair testing offers over traditional urine tests. While urine tests are common, they only catch recent substance use. On the other hand, hair follicle tests provide a much longer detection window, up to 90 days, offering an extensive view of an individual’s drug history.
The reliability of hair tests is another advantage, as the follicles preserve drug signatures longer, ensuring results are more comprehensive and reliable compared to urine testing.
Hair follicle drug testing provides an extended detection window that is crucial for employers in Westfir, OR. By analyzing small samples of hair, this method can detect drug use over a protracted period, up to 90 days, giving a thorough evaluation of an applicant's substance use.
This lengthy detection period enables employers to make more informed hiring decisions, ensuring that candidates maintain a long-term commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.
The choice of hair follicle testing empowers businesses to maintain workplace integrity and safety with a comprehensive screening approach.
Hair follicle testing in Westfir, OR, presents a robust method to minimize the likelihood of sample tampering. Unlike urine tests, hair samples are much harder to alter, enhancing the reliability of the results.
The method requires a supervised sample collection, which significantly reduces the chance of substitution or adulteration, providing peace of mind for employers who demand transparency in drug screening.
This tamper-resistant characteristic ensures that results are valid, lending credibility and trust in the testing process for all stakeholders in the workplace.
In Westfir, OR, and across the nation, finding a testing location has never been easier. Our drug testing centers are situated conveniently, offering hassle-free access no matter where you are. Whether you're looking for a local center or need options across different cities, our nationwide network ensures that you can quickly locate a testing facility.
The widespread availability of these centers ensures rapid and efficient access to drug testing services, making the experience smooth and time-effective for everyone involved.
Our emphasis on convenience means that testing is just around the corner, no matter where you reside or operate your business.
The process of hair follicle testing in Westfir, OR, remains straightforward and confidential from the start. Ordering a test is quick, and sample collection is discreet, respecting individual privacy at all stages. Once tested, receiving results is efficient, allowing for quick access to the necessary reports.
The confidentiality of this process offers assurance to individuals concerned about personal data, ensuring their privacy through secure means.
This simple protocol fosters trust in the testing system, emphasizing ease of use, and ensuring that results remain within the confines of privacy protocols.
Hair follicle testing in Westfir, OR, is not only swift but also budget-friendly, catering to businesses of all sizes. We offer competitive pricing structures that provide excellent value, ensuring that cost-effectiveness does not compromise accuracy or speed of results.
This affordable testing solution drastically reduces budget concerns for employers, empowering them to screen their workforce with efficiency and financial confidence.
The rapid turnaround time complements the pricing, providing quick and valuable insights into a workforce's compliance with substance policies, enabling seamless alignment with organizational needs.
In Westfir, OR, the hair follicle drug testing method offers rapid and precise outcomes. This technique stands out for its high accuracy in identifying substance use. Fast results ensure that both employers and individuals receive crucial information in a timely manner.
Precision in hair follicle testing is achieved through its ability to detect a wide range of substances, offering a clear picture of an individual's substance use history.
Results are not only quick but also reliable, thereby streamlining decision-making processes for employers who need dependable data for employment screenings.
For employers in Westfir, OR, hair follicle testing provides essential compliance with drug-free policy standards. This testing method reduces legal risks by ensuring accurate and consistent drug screening, cultivated in an era where workplace safety is paramount. Employers can maintain high safety standards within their workplace, enjoying peace of mind knowing their employees adhere to company policies. This comprehensive testing process mitigates potential legal liabilities, providing a safeguard for both employers and their workforce.
Using hair testing boosts confidence in maintaining a substance-free environment, crucial for industries where safety is a top priority.
