Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The presence of alcohol and drugs over an extended period is captured by markers embedded within the strands of hair as they grow. When cut near the scalp, hair can serve as a timeline, offering up to a quarter-year of detection for alcohol and drug usage. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to send.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches comprising around 200 strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) taken from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the standard sample for initial analysis and verification. For EtG assessments, additional testing, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is preferred. It's advisable to measure the hair using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is not present, a corresponding amount of body hair can be used. The term 'head hair' specifically refers to scalp hair. Any other hair like facial or axillary hair is categorized as body hair.
Process Overview
The four principal phases in lab-based drug testing procedures are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails logging a sample into the lab system. Tasks include ensuring the sample was properly sealed and delivered, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing information not covered by electronic custody records.
Screening is the stage of an initial rapid drug assessment. Screening efficiently identifies the absence of drugs in most samples, but a positive result requires further steps for it to hold up legally. Presumptive positive cases in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.
Samples that are presumptive-positive during Screening then proceed with additional hair being taken from the initial sample for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair in significantly lower amounts compared to urine or oral fluid testing, hence making hair analysis the most challenging approach.
To confirm any positive results from Screening, techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. Presumptive positives are cleansed before verification as necessary. The complete process, starting from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited in accordance with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and in compliance with the ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although known as "hair follicle tests", these analyses involve scrutinizing the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the skin.
Hair follicle testing in Quonochontaug, RI supersedes traditional urine tests due to its extensive detection capabilities. Unlike urine testing, hair analysis captures drug usage for up to 90 days, offering superior detection reliability. Its accuracy makes it a preferred choice over conventional testing methods.
In Quonochontaug, RI, hair follicle testing is favored for its extended detection window. With the ability to trace substance use up to 90 days, it offers employers a comprehensive insight into an applicant or employee's drug history, far surpassing the short-term analysis of other tests.
Hair follicle tests in Quonochontaug, RI, provide a tamper-resistant solution to drug screening. Unlike other methods, hair analysis significantly reduces the risk of sample manipulation, delivering results that are both reliable and difficult to challenge, enhancing trust in the testing process.
Our convenience in Quonochontaug, RI, and nationwide ensures testing accessibility with minimal effort. Whether local or across the country, our extensive network of testing centers offers efficient and straightforward access to drug testing services.
The drug testing process in Quonochontaug, RI is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure respects privacy and ensures ease of use, addressing and alleviating any concerns regarding confidentiality.
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Quonochontaug, RI, our hair follicle tests provide exceptional value. The competitive pricing structure and swift results enhance confidence for businesses of all sizes, ensuring cost-effective and efficient service delivery.
In Quonochontaug, RI, hair follicle drug testing is synonymous with speed and accuracy. These tests swiftly detect substance use, providing highly reliable results. The precision of hair tests lies in their methodical approach, ensuring that no recent drug use goes unnoticed, thus offering dependable outcomes.
Employers in Quonochontaug, RI can experience compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. Ensuring adherence to drug-free policies, it minimizes legal complications and promotes a safer workplace, while maintaining the integrity of organizational standards.
