Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. If collected near the scalp, hair provides approximately a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, slightly challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, or tests above 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. It is recommended to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable volume of body hair may be collected. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair only, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial processing of a sample within the lab’s system. This step entails confirming the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary quick check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is cost-efficient for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be valid in court. All samples that are presumptively positive in Screening need a subsequent confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.
In Foster Center, RI, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests are commonly used, they fall short in identifying long-term substance use.
Comparatively, hair tests provide a comprehensive view of drug use over a longer period, making them an invaluable tool for employers aiming to maintain a drug-free environment.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Foster Center, RI, offers employers a thorough understanding of substance use history. By detecting drug usage over a period as long as 90 days, this testing method provides a clearer view of an individual's habits.
This extended timeframe elevates hair testing as a superior method for assessing long-term substance use, ensuring informed decision-making for employment or monitoring purposes.
Hair follicle tests in Foster Center, RI are a tamper-resistant method of drug screening, significantly reducing sample adulteration risks. This resilience in maintaining integrity ensures reliable, unquestionable results.
The difficulty in cheating such tests makes them a trusted choice for employers seeking to uphold strict drug-free policies, enhancing overall workplace safety and compliance.
With convenient nationwide testing locations, including Foster Center, RI, our centers offer quick and easy access to hair follicle drug testing services. This wide-reaching availability ensures that testing can be seamlessly integrated into routine operations.
Through strategically positioned centers, both individual clients and employers enjoy hassle-free access to reliable testing, wherever they are situated.
Simplicity and confidentiality are hallmarks of our hair follicle testing process in Foster Center, RI. Clients experience a streamlined procedure from ordering to receiving results, maintaining privacy throughout.
This user-centric approach addresses concerns regarding ease of use and privacy, ensuring a respectful and smooth experience for all involved in the testing process.
Offering competitive pricing structures, hair follicle testing in Foster Center, RI delivers excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Alongside affordability, the quick turnaround time provides assurance of prompt results without compromising quality.
This combination of cost-effectiveness and efficiency affirms hair testing as a preferred choice for organizations seeking comprehensive substance use screening.
Hair follicle testing in Foster Center, RI offers fast and reliable results, ensuring highly accurate detection of substance use. With its advanced methodology, this test identifies a wider range of substances with precision, enhancing confidence in its findings.
Employers and individuals benefit from the swift processing times of hair follicle tests. This speed, combined with uncompromising accuracy, positions hair testing as a preferred choice for thorough drug screening in Foster Center, RI.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Foster Center, RI aids employers in ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies, thereby reducing legal risks. This testing method strengthens the enforcement of safety regulations across the organization.
Employers are assured of peace of mind through the reliability of hair tests, knowing that they are effectively safeguarding against substance misuse in the workplace.
