Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug intake by entraping biomarkers in the strands' fibers during growth. When clipped close to the scalp, it offers an approximate 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other drugs. It is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to send.
A 1.5-inch lock comprising around 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest employing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain strictly to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the sample's initial intake into a lab’s system, incorporating verification of the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening executes an initial rapid check for substances of abuse. Although screening serves as a cost-efficient means to rule out drug use for most samples, any positive screen requires confirmation for it to be legally admissible. Any samples indicated as presumptively positive during Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
When a sample is flagged as presumptively positive in the Screening phase, further hair from the original specimen is extracted and prepared for the Extraction step. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of conducting hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory protocol from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Faith, SD, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests due to superior detection and reliability. Hair analysis can identify drug use over months, providing a comprehensive history. This makes hair testing a more effective choice for accurate substance identification.
Extended detection window makes hair follicle testing valuable in Faith, SD. Spanning up to 90 days, it delivers a thorough view of an individual's substance history, aiding employers in making informed choices about applicants or employees.
Hair follicle tests in Faith, SD, significantly lower the likelihood of sample tampering. With reliable and indisputable results, they stand as a trustworthy method for drug testing, ensuring integrity and transparency in test outcomes.
With convenient nationwide and local testing locations in Faith, SD, accessing hair follicle testing services is hassle-free. This widespread availability guarantees quick and effortless testing, ensuring easy process navigation for all involved.
The hair follicle testing process in Faith, SD, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the entire procedure respects privacy while ensuring ease of use for individuals undergoing testing.
Faith, SD, offers competitive pricing and quick turnaround for hair follicle testing. Our pricing structures ensure excellent value, and prompt results provide peace of mind for organizations of all sizes seeking reliable testing solutions.
Hair follicle drug tests offer remarkable precision and speed in Faith, SD. Their ability to accurately detect substance use ensures reliable outcomes. This high level of accuracy provides assurance to both employers and individuals alike.
Employers in Faith, SD, benefit from using hair follicle tests to uphold drug-free workplace policies. This compliance boosts safety, reduces legal concerns, and enhances the working environment through diligent screening processes.
