Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive timeline of drug and alcohol presence by sealing biomarkers within the fibers of hair that is growing. When gathered near the scalp, hair can give a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting it is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to have 150mg of the sample. We suggest weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, the same quantity of body hair can be taken. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory operations for processing a drug test result encompass four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is about the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This step involves checking that the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling out any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary evaluation for drug abuse. Though Screening is an economical means to dismiss drug use on most samples, any positive findings need confirmation for legal validity. Samples exhibiting a presumptive positive during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
Should a sample portray a presumptive positive in the Screening stage, more hair is taken from the initial sample and arranged for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at a much lesser concentration than alternative methodologies (like urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening represents the most complex methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any initially positive result comes by GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positivity are cleansed before confirmation, as required. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation gets evaluated by CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and follows the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests", such tests actually assess the hair strand and not the follicle positioned under the scalp
In Port Royal, SC, the ascendancy of hair follicle testing over urine testing arises from its unparalleled detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike conventional urine tests, hair analysis delivers an extensive history of drug use, thereby enhancing the reliability of results. This method excels in delivering convincing and comprehensive results, surpassing the capabilities of traditional tests.
With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing offers employers in Port Royal, SC, a thorough view of an individual's substance use history. This extensive timeframe empowers employers with crucial information, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding substance use policies and employee health and behavior.
Hair follicle tests in Port Royal, SC, significantly reduce the risk of sample adulteration, offering results that are reliable and difficult to falsify. The authorization process for obtaining samples is carefully monitored, ensuring the integrity of each test.
Convenient access is paramount, and Accredited Drug Testing ensures it with a multitude of testing locations across the nation, including Port Royal, SC. These facilities offer prompt and efficient services, delivering a hassle-free testing experience. Businesses and individuals benefit from ease of access, allowing quick adherence to safety and policy standards.
Our confidential and simple process in Port Royal, SC, ensures easy ordering, test administration, and results delivery. Privacy concerns are addressed thoroughly, offering peace of mind at every step of the process, from start to finish.
Accredited Drug Testing offers affordable pricing structures and quick turnaround times in Port Royal, SC. Our competitive pricing ensures that companies of all sizes can access drug testing without financial strain, while rapid processing of results provides timely data for decision-making.
The speed and precision of hair follicle drug testing in Port Royal, SC, set it apart. Hair tests yield fast, accurate, and reliable results by detecting substance use with remarkable accuracy. This cutting-edge method outpaces traditional testing alternatives, providing swift yet dependable data to those who need it most.
Employers in Port Royal, SC, gain peace of mind through hair follicle testing as it aligns with drug-free policies, minimizes legal liabilities, and bolsters workplace safety. Stringent testing reveals substance use, ensuring a compliant, secure environment.