Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is widely regarded as an effective mechanism for identifying both drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a comprehensive record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can unveil a 3-month window of detection for alcohol and other substances. It is easy to gather, moderately challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal quantity for testing and validation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or assessments of more than 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. When referencing head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses hair from areas such as facial, axillary, etc.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning handles the preliminary integration of a sample into the lab’s system. This includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any necessary data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening conducts an initial rapid evaluation for substance abuse. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most cases, any positive findings require confirmation for legal validation. Samples that display a presumptive positive result in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive outcome in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug analysis is among the most technically demanding procedures.
Positive screening results undergo validation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptive positive are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Dakota Dunes, SD, hair follicle testing outshines urine tests due to its enhanced detection capability and reliability. Hair tests offer better accuracy and last longer, capturing a wide history of drug usage, compared to traditional urine tests which have limitations. Employers and legal bodies find hair testing more trustworthy for long-term drug use assessment.
Hair follicle tests in Dakota Dunes, SD provide an extended window for detecting drug intake, up to 90 days. This extended detection timeframe aids employers by offering a thorough examination of an individual's past substance usage, which a standard urine test cannot match.
Curbing the chances of sample tampering, hair follicle testing in Dakota Dunes, SD ensures result integrity. Thanks to its nature, it's a challenge to adulterate, making these tests a secure and reliable method for drug detection when authenticity is essential.
With convenient local and nationwide centers, drug testing in Dakota Dunes, SD is straightforward. The widespread presence of testing centers makes getting tested quick and hassle-free, providing easy access regardless of your location, ensuring swift service throughout.
Simplified and discreet, the process for hair follicle testing in Dakota Dunes, SD prioritizes confidentiality. Easy to navigate process from ordering, to sampling, and receiving results assures privacy while keeping the process smooth without complication.
Hair follicle testing in Dakota Dunes, SD offers competitive pricing and swift results. With an appealing cost structure and speedy turnaround, solutions fit budgets for all business scales, offering exceptional value plus tranquility about the investment made in employee health security.
For quick, reliable outcomes in Dakota Dunes, SD, hair follicle drug testing stands out. Its precision and efficiency ensure that results are both fast and accurate. The methodology's high precision in detecting substances makes it a trusted choice when timely and dependable results are imperative.
Employers in Dakota Dunes, SD gain confidence using hair follicle drug testing to maintain a drug-free workplace. This compliance aids in legal assurance and heightens safety, securing peace of mind knowing that a rigorous standard is met efficiently through hair testing.
