Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended record of alcohol and drug use by retaining biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When collected near the scalp, hair can indicate substance use for up to a 90-day duration for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG, additional screens, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's best to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. Head hair refers solely to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other hair types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The key phases in processing a drug test in the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the sample's initial integration into the laboratory's system. It involves ensuring that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handling any extra data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial rapid check for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective approach to eliminate drug use in most samples, any positive Screening results must be confirmed to be legally valid. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening require an additional confirmation.
When a sample is tentatively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.
Confirmation of any positive Screening outcomes happens via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentatively positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the testing process actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle itself.
Why opt for hair follicle over urine tests in Belle Fourche, SD? Simple: unmatched detection accuracy. Hair testing not only offers longer detection windows but also provides more precise results, rendering it superior to traditional urine tests. Reliability and accuracy are paramount, making hair testing the favorable choice for comprehensive drug detection.
Hair follicle tests in Belle Fourche, SD, offer an extended detection timeframe, revealing substance use history for up to 90 days. This extensive window grants employers a deeper understanding of an individual’s drug use over time, providing a holistic view of an employee's or candidate's history and fostering informed decision-making.
The integrity of hair follicle tests in Belle Fourche, SD, lies in their resistance to tampering. The robust collection process curtails alteration, ensuring the results remain untainted. With this method, sample adulteration becomes nearly impossible, offering confidence in the outcomes.
Convenience is key in Belle Fourche, SD, and our extensive network of testing centers embodies that. Easily accessible facilities nationwide make testing straightforward and hassle-free, ensuring individuals and companies access services promptly and without difficulty.
Confidentiality and simplicity are at the heart of the hair follicle testing process in Belle Fourche, SD. From scheduling to receiving results, each step is made straightforward, assuring privacy while maintaining efficiency and ease of use for all involved parties. Privacy concerns are effectively addressed.
Our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times in Belle Fourche, SD, make hair follicle testing both affordable and practical for companies of any size. Rapid results paired with reasonable costs provide substantial value, boosting employers' confidence in their investment in employee well-being.
In Belle Fourche, SD, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its swift and accurate outcomes. The high precision in identifying substance use makes this method highly reliable, ensuring that results are trustworthy and delivered promptly. Rapid detection coupled with accuracy provides confidence to both individuals and employers needing competent testing.
Employers in Belle Fourche, SD, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, as it helps uphold drug-free workplace standards. This method not only aids compliance with corporate policies but also minimizes legal risk while promoting a safer work environment. It assures adherence to stringent regulations.
