Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Testing hair is now recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. If taken near the scalp, hair can present up to roughly a three-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, extra panels, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advisable to measure the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, it refers only to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary steps in the laboratory handling of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial handling of a sample into a lab's system. This step ensures that the sample is sealed and transported correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any extra data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid test for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be acceptable in a court setting. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and organized for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), marking hair drug screening as the most challenging methodology to conduct.
Verification of any positive screening outcome is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Springfield, SC, hair follicle testing clearly outperforms traditional urine testing methods. When comparing the two, hair tests offer enhanced detection accuracy and are more reliable overall.
The increased detection window and higher accuracy make hair follicle testing a preferred choice over urine tests. Employers can rely on hair tests to enforce drug-free policies with greater confidence and reliability.
Hair follicle testing in Springfield, SC, provides an extended detection window, capturing drug use history over a span of 90 days. This allows employers a full understanding of an individual's substance use background.
The longer detection period of hair testing gives a comprehensive view of an individual’s drug history, making it an invaluable tool for screening applicants and employees alike in Springfield.
In Springfield, SC, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant method that minimizes the potential for sample adulteration. Reliable and unquestionable results are a key advantage, making hair testing a trusted option.
By reducing the risk of sample contamination, hair follicle testing reinforces the integrity of drug testing procedures. Ensuring accurate and trustworthy results, it is a preferred method for those seeking indisputable outcomes.
With convenient testing centers across the nation, including Springfield, SC, accessing drug testing services is quick and hassle-free. Accredited Drug Testing provides nationwide accessibility to meet your needs effectively.
Local facilities ensure that individuals and employers in Springfield benefit from straightforward, expedient access to professional drug testing services, reducing the time and effort required to obtain results.
The process of hair follicle testing in Springfield, SC, is both simple and confidential, ensuring privacy from ordering the test to receiving results. Our streamlined procedure prioritizes user ease and confidentiality.
Addressing privacy concerns is achieved through a straightforward testing process, enabling individuals to participate with confidence in the protection of their personal information and test outcomes.
Competitive pricing and fast turnaround are hallmarks of our services in Springfield, SC, ensuring that hair follicle testing offers excellent value. Companies benefit from cost-effective solutions that do not compromise on speed or quality.
The affordability of our testing services, combined with rapid result delivery, provides assurance and value to organizations of all sizes, supporting informed decision-making with minimal investment.
The speed and reliability of hair follicle drug testing provide quick, accurate outcomes in Springfield, SC. Hair tests ensure a high degree of precision in identifying substance use, making them indispensable for employers and legal professionals.
Our testing process guarantees results that are both swift and dependable. The efficiency of hair testing methods produces results you can count on, ensuring that substance use detection is both timely and exact.
Employers in Springfield, SC, gain peace of mind through the compliance assurance offered by hair follicle testing. This method supports adherence to workplace drug-free policies, enhancing safety and reducing legal risks.
By implementing hair follicle drug testing, companies ensure alignment with safety regulations and bolster their reputation for maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.
