Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended historical record of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When sampled near the scalp, hair can illustrate substance exposure for a duration of up to about three months. Hair is easy to collect, difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches containing roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the girth of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is suggested to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair imply scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other types such as facial and axillary.
Process Overview
The drug testing laboratory process comprises four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the introduction of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This phase includes ensuring the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any incomplete data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective mechanism to identify drug consumption across most specimens, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be legally acknowledged. Any specimens testing positive in Screening must undergo further validation.
If a specimen tests positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and configured for Extraction. At this stage, substances are drawn from hair at a notably lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is the most complex method to conduct.
Verification of any positive Screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo cleansing before confirmation if required. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Woonsocket, RI, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing by offering numerous advantages. One key benefit is superior detection accuracy, as hair tests can trace substance use over a longer duration. This reliability makes hair testing an invaluable tool for employers and agencies seeking accurate assessments beyond the short detection period of urine tests.
Offering an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Woonsocket, RI provides employers with a thorough understanding of an individual's past substance use. This longer detection period allows companies to make informed decisions regarding potential hires or current employees, significantly enhancing workplace safety and integrity.
Hair follicle testing in Woonsocket, RI is renowned for its tamper-resistant nature, as it significantly minimizes the possibility of sample adulteration. The integrity of the testing process ensures that results are both reliable and unquestionable, giving employers and other stakeholders essential confidence in the accuracy of test outcomes.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing locations, including local centers in Woonsocket, RI. Our expansive network ensures quick, easy, and hassle-free access to testing services, providing peace of mind and accessibility for employers and individuals seeking reliable drug testing solutions across the country.
Our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential in Woonsocket, RI. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step is designed to ensure privacy and ease of use. We address concerns of confidentiality, guaranteeing a straightforward experience that respects the privacy of all individuals involved.
With affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times, Accredited Drug Testing in Woonsocket, RI offers excellent value for companies of all sizes. Our competitive pricing structures ensure that high-quality testing is accessible without compromising on speed or reliability, providing peace of mind and significant cost savings.
Hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results in Woonsocket, RI. Utilizing advanced analytical techniques, these tests ensure a high level of precision in detecting substance use. The accuracy offered by hair testing allows for confident decision-making by employers and other stakeholders wishing to assess substance history comprehensively.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Woonsocket, RI ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies while providing peace of mind for employers. By reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety, hair testing is a crucial component of maintaining a secure and productive work environment for all employees and stakeholders.
