Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is regarded as a robust means of detecting drug and alcohol usage. It offers a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the maturing hair strand. By taking samples near the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a 3-month timeframe for alcohol and drug detection. It's straightforward to gather, fairly hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp should provide 100mg, an optimal sample size for screening and confirming. For tests such as EtG or those beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be taken. "Head hair" refers solely to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning functions as the initial step in processing a sample within a laboratory's framework. This step comprises ensuring proper sealing and shipping of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and any extra data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary rapid check for misuse of drugs. Although Screening efficiently excludes drug usage in most samples, a positive result from screening must be verified to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples showing a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, more hair is extracted from the primary sample for the Extraction process. This step involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), accounting for why hair drug testing ranks as the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation for any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo a pre-confirmation wash as necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly titled "hair follicle tests", such tests assess the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Outshines Urine Tests in Charlestown, RI boils down to detection efficiency. Hair tests excel with their comprehensive scope and superior reliability compared to urine tests.
Extended Detection Window: Hair follicle testing in Charlestown, RI, offers insight into an individual's drug use for up to 90 days, providing employers a broad perspective on substance habits.
In Charlestown, RI, the hair follicle testing method stands out for its resistance to tampering, ensuring samples remain unaltered. Reliability is key.
Convenient Testing Locations: Our Charlestown, RI testing centers are part of a nationwide network, ensuring straightforward and accessible service
The process in Charlestown, RI is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively. Ease of use is our top priority.
In Charlestown, RI, our hair testing service not only offers affordable pricing but also swift results.
At our Charlestown, RI centers, hair follicle drug tests offer results that are not only accurate but also quickly delivered. The precision of hair testing is unmatched in terms of detecting substance use.
For employers in Charlestown, RI, hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free policies, minimizing legal liabilities. Peace of mind comes with this assurance.
