Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective measure to identify substance use. Hair strands capture biomarker evidence within their fibers over an extended period. Positioned near the scalp, they offer a detection timeframe reaching up to nearly three months for various substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising roughly 200 strands (around the diameter of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, considered ideal for analysis. For EtG, extended panels, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may substitute. The term head hair refers specifically to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the beginning of sample processing into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, allocates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any outstanding data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary fast check for substances of abuse. While Screening serves as an economical method for dismissing drug usage in the majority of cases, a positive Screening result requires confirmation to be legally valid. Samples yielding a presumptive positive during Screening will necessitate further confirmation.
Samples indicating a presumptive positive outcome in Screening undergo extraction in which more hair is separated from the initial sample. This phase involves retrieving drugs from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug analysis is among the most challenging methodologies.
Any positive Screening result is confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo requisite washing prior to confirmation. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as the accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", such tests actually assess the hair strand, not the follicle located beneath the scalp
In Utica, SC, businesses find hair follicle tests preferable to urine tests for several compelling reasons. The superior detection accuracy of hair testing greatly enhances reliability compared to traditional methods.
Hair tests are not impacted by short-term abstinence from substances, ensuring a clearer view of an individual's drug usage history. These tests detect drugs ingested up to 90 days prior, providing an extended detection range beyond what urine tests offer.
Hair follicle testing stands out in its ability to reveal substance use over a prolonged period, often reaching up to 90 days. In Utica, SC, this gives employers a deeper insight into employee behaviors.
By offering a comprehensive evaluation of past consumption, hair testing enables informed hiring decisions, especially for roles with stringent safety and compliance requirements.
This extended analysis period is invaluable for maintaining a consistent drug-free workplace environment.
Hair follicle testing in Utica, SC, significantly mitigates the risks of sample tampering, ensuring the integrity of the testing process.
Unlike other methods where adulteration is a concern, the structure of hair samples makes it virtually impossible to alter, securing reliable and accurate test outcomes.
This method provides employers with the assurance that the results they receive truly reflect the individual's substance use status, crucial for maintaining compliance with workplace policies.
With a network of testing centers nationwide, including convenient locations in Utica, SC, Accredited Drug Testing offers quick and hassle-free access to hair follicle drug tests.
Employers benefit from a streamlined testing process, knowing they can easily access services both locally and across the country.
This accessibility affirms a commitment to making drug testing straightforward for businesses, regardless of their geographical location.
The hair follicle testing process in Utica, SC, is designed to be straightforward and confidential, respecting the privacy of individuals while ensuring accurate results.
From order placement to result retrieval, each step is crafted to be user-friendly, enhancing comfort for both employers and employees.
This simplicity not only protects privacy but also enhances trust in the testing process, reinforcing its suitability for sensitive workplace contexts.
Accredited Drug Testing provides competitively priced hair follicle testing solutions in Utica, SC, emphasizing affordable access without compromising quality.
Alongside cost-effectiveness, we pride ourselves on our quick result turnaround, offering excellent value for companies seeking reliable drug testing solutions.
This balance of affordability and speed underscores the company's commitment to supporting business needs across various scales.
The hair follicle drug testing method provides fast and precise results, distinguishing it as a superior choice for substance use detection in Utica, SC.
Employing advanced techniques, hair follicle tests accurately identify drug usage, making them incredibly reliable for employers who require efficient testing outcomes.
Compared to other testing options, the robust accuracy of hair follicle tests ensures that local businesses receive dependable data in a timely manner.
For Utica, SC employers, hair follicle testing ensures alignment with drug-free workplace mandates, reducing potential legal pitfalls.
Adopting this testing method affords businesses peace of mind, reinforcing employee safety and reducing workplace incident risks.
The effectiveness and reliability of hair testing strengthen workplace policies, ensuring compliance with both industry standards and internal regulations.
